Fibonacci Sequence | by ForexCycle.com | Thursday, 17 April 2008 07:44 UTC
We all are familiar with the fact that successful traders use Fibonacci and the Golden ratio. Before, we all get ready to try our luck, it is imperative that we know and understand what they are. While Fibonacci numbers and sequence was first known to appear in a book (Liber Abaci ) written by a famous 13th century mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci da Pisa in 1202 as a solution to a problem. The question quoted "How many pairs of rabbits can be generated from a single pair, if each month each mature pair brings forth a new pair, which, from the second month, becomes productive?"
The Fibonacci numbers were the first introduced in the European countries, which was still using Roman numerals with the decimal system or the Hindu-Arabic numerals as presently used. The Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34 and so on to infinity, is made by adding the two previous numbers in the sequence, to come up with the next number.
Similarly, Golden ratio is also connected to Fibonacci, as it was recorded that just after the first few numbers in the Fibonacci sequence, the ratio of any number to the next higher number is approximately .618, and the lower number is 1.618. These two numbers are known as the Golden ratio.
Fibonacci numbers like much of its use in spheres of art, music, biology and architecture; finds an ardent follower in traders, who uses Fibonacci numbers to set stop loss orders. Two of the most important Fibonacci percentage retracement levels in trading are 38.2% and 62.8%. While other important retracement percentages include 75%, 50% and 33%. For instance, if a price trend initiates at zero and peaks at 100, to later decline to 50, it would be considered as 50% retracement. Similarly, the same levels can be applied to a market that is in a downward move and then suddenly experiences an upward correction.
There is a great connection between Fibonacci numbers and trading, as it defines stop loss level. A trader can set a stop loss placement just below or above the zone, in case three Fibonacci price levels come together in a relatively tight zone. Moreover, a Fibonacci number can help define stops in eventualities like if the support zone is violated and the price trades below that zone; or a trader trades against a support zone. In such cases, the cause for the trade is annulled and the position closed.
However, using Fibonacci retracements takes away the excitement out of trading and gives a pre-defined exit point. Moreover, Fibonacci numbers gives position sizes depending on the risk you are prepared to take per trade; and also defines profit objectives to bank partial profits or constrict stop loss level, once a pattern is completed against a Fibonacci price zone.
One of the immense advantages of Fibonacci numbers and the Golden ratio in trading is the fact that while taking the excitement out of trading, you can define not only stop losses to exit a market, but also set profit objectives as well.
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