You’re sitting in class at Shujin Academy. The sun is beaming through the window, and you’re probably thinking about which Palace to hit next or if you have enough money to buy some SP adhesives from Tae Takemi. Suddenly, the teacher calls your name. The question? Something about the silver ratio.
If you’re like most of us, your brain probably freezes for a second. We’ve all heard of the Golden Ratio—that $1:1.618$ spiral that shows up in seashells and Renaissance paintings. But the silver ratio Persona 5 question is a bit of a curveball that catches players off guard every single time. It’s one of those classic Persona moments where the game forces you to actually learn something real-world-adjacent while you’re trying to be a phantom thief.
What is the Silver Ratio in Persona 5?
Let’s get the "cheat sheet" answer out of the way first. On May 21st, you’ll be asked: "The Golden Ratio is 1:1.618, but do you know the Silver Ratio?"
The correct answer you need to pick is 1:1.414.
Selecting this correctly gives Joker a nice little boost to his Knowledge stat. If you're trying to max out your social stats early, these classroom wins are basically mandatory. But there’s a lot more to this than just clicking the right button.
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Why the game even asks this
Persona 5—and specifically Persona 5 Royal—loves to lean into Japanese aesthetics and history. While the Golden Ratio is a Western darling, the Silver Ratio (known in Japan as Yamato-higa) is actually the backbone of traditional Japanese architecture and art.
Think about the Horyu-ji temple or the classic proportions of a Tatami mat. They don't use the $1.618$ ratio. Instead, they rely on the square root of 2, which is roughly $1.414$. It’s a "heavier," more grounded proportion compared to the "stretching" feel of the Golden Ratio. Honestly, once you start seeing it, you can’t un-see it in Japanese design.
The Math Behind the Answer (Simplified)
I know, I know. You didn't come here for a math lecture. But the silver ratio is actually pretty cool if you look at how it's built. Technically, the Silver Ratio ($\delta_S$) is defined as:
$$\delta_S = 1 + \sqrt{2} \approx 2.414$$
Wait, didn't the game say 1.414?
Yeah, this is where things get a bit "video game logic." In the context of a ratio of a rectangle's sides, the "Silver Ratio" used in Japanese design is often simplified to $1:\sqrt{2}$. Mathematically, $1:1.414$ is the ratio of the side of a square to its diagonal. This is the proportion that makes things like A4 paper work. If you fold an A4 sheet in half, the new shape has the exact same proportions as the original. That’s the magic of the $1.414$ ratio.
How to Handle the May 21st Classroom Question
If you’re playing on a fresh save, you likely haven't maxed your Knowledge yet. Failing these questions won't "break" your game, but it slows down your progress with Confidants like Makoto Niijima, who requires high Knowledge to even talk to you.
- The Date: May 21st.
- The Context: This comes right after the first major Palace arc. You're likely feeling the pressure of the second target.
- The Options: You'll usually see $1:1.732$, $1:1.414$, and maybe $1:3.303$.
- The Selection: Go with 1:1.414.
Later in July, specifically during the finals on July 13th, the game might circle back to geometric concepts or related math. It’s all part of the game’s "exam season" which tests if you were actually paying attention to the random trivia the teachers were shouting at you while you were busy planning your social life.
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The Impact on Your Social Stats
Getting the silver ratio Persona 5 answer right doesn't just make you look smart in front of Ann and Ryuji. It grants you Knowledge points.
- Normal Days: +1 Knowledge point.
- Rainy Days: If you study in the diner or library on top of getting class questions right, you get a multiplier effect.
- Exams: If you get all the prep questions right during the month, you’ll score higher on the midterms, which grants you a massive Charm boost and some unique items from Sojiro at Leblanc.
Is it Different in Persona 5 Royal?
Usually, Royal keeps the core trivia but moves the dates around or adds "follow-up" questions where a classmate (usually Ann) asks you to explain the answer to her. In Royal, the Silver Ratio question remains a staple of the May curriculum.
Interestingly, some fans have pointed out that the game's focus on "ratios" and "balance" mirrors the story's themes. The Phantom Thieves are trying to find a "balance" between law and personal freedom. Using mathematical constants as a metaphor for "perfect order" is a very Persona thing to do.
Quick Tips for Acing Shujin Academy
If you’re tired of Googling every single date, here’s a better way to handle the classroom grind:
- Check the Network: If you’re playing online, hit the Touchpad (on PlayStation) or the equivalent "Network" button. It shows you a percentage of what other players picked. 99% of the time, the top answer is the correct one.
- Prioritize Knowledge Early: Use the Diner on rainy days. You get a boost to Knowledge plus a secondary stat depending on what you order.
- The Library: It’s free, but it gets crowded. Use it early in the game before the "fame" of the Phantom Thieves makes it hard to concentrate there.
Actionable Next Steps
Ready to get back to the Metaverse? Here is what you should do:
- Mark your calendar: Set a mental note for May 21st.
- Save your game: Always save the night before a school day if you’re worried about mis-clicking.
- Visit Leblanc: If you’ve already passed this date and got it right, talk to Sojiro. If your exam scores were high because of it, he might give you a reward like a Toughness Binding or some snacks.
- Check your Knowledge rank: You need Rank 3 (Scholarly) relatively early if you want to progress with Hifumi Togo and Makoto.
The silver ratio is just one of many "real-world" facts Persona 5 tosses at you. Whether it’s the origin of the word "Slacker" or the details of the "Placebo Effect," the game wants you to be as sharp as Joker’s Vivienne Westwood-inspired outfit.