This book tells the story of the pentagon and its cousin the pentagram delving into the
shapes' history mathematical features cultural significance and their role in nature
science and art. While the pentagon may seem to be a quotidian shape it has a fascinating
history. It was a favorite symbol of the Pythagoreans a cult who reportedly used the shape to
identify themselves to other members. Over the years it became a source of fascination for
mathematicians and efforts to study this shape ultimately led to the discovery of the golden
ratio. In the late 1900s a materials scientist discovered a material whose crystal structure
displayed fivefold symmetry-breaking a core tenet of chemical symmetry. Despite its rich
history the pentagon has not yet received a book-length treatment. This book provides the
first such treatment offering a sweeping view of the five-sided polygon and its role in
mathematics history nature and art. The book discusses Fibonnacci numbers stained-glass
design and pentagonal medieval fortifications among other topics. Striking illustrations by
artist Eugen Jost provide a visual representation of this object's history.--
