The Puzzler: Pine Cone

 Which way does it spiral?

Here is the pattern from an actual pine cone. Get out 3 or 4 different colored pencils or markers and color in the sections using alternating colors to make a spiral pattern. When you are done, the pattern should look like curving spokes of a wheel, radiating out from the center. 

 

QUESTION: Which direction does the spiral go on this pine cone: clockwise or counter-clockwise?

BONUS: What is the least number of colors you need to reveal the spiral pattern?

 

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ANSWER to LAST ISSUE'S PUZZLER

Planet Squarzoid

In a squarish spiral galaxy far, far away live strange square-based lifeforms known as Squaroos. 

 

Baby Squaroos have little red bodies, 1 squark wide. 

 

How many squarks wide is an adult Squaroo's big dark blue head? To find out, look at this Squaroo growth pattern and fill in the last number:

 

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ____?

 

 

ANSWER: 13

EXPLANATION: This pattern is called the Fibonacci Series after the Italian mathematician who discovered it. This number series begins with a pair of 1's and after that each number in the series equals the sum of the 2 previous numbers: 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 2 + 3 = 5, etc. This pattern is found abundantly in nature, for example, in the growth pattern of pine cones (Hmmm, is that a hint for this month's puzzler above?).