1/8/2024 0 Comments Weird ways to calculate pi![]() ![]() For each of these circular objects, measure the circumference and diameter and then divide the circumference by the diameter. Grab a few circular objects and a ruler or tape measure. Is pi really a constant? Don't take mathematicians' word for it! Find out for yourself.Ready to celebrate the mathematical WONDER that is pi? Grab 3 or 14 friends and family members to help you explore the following activities: Where else have you seen pi used? Isn’t it cool that a number can have so many digits? 31 trillion and counting! This symbol was first used to represent pi by William Jones in 1706, because π was an abbreviation of the Greek word for perimeter: περίμετρος. Pi is represented by (and takes its name from) the Greek letter pi (π). ![]() This formula-A=πr2-is sometimes described as “area equals pi r squared,” which is the basis of the old joke about pies being round, not square. They learn that the area of a circle is equal to pi times the square of the length of the radius. Most geometry students first encounter pi when they study circles. Pi is an important part of many parts of math. Here are two representations of pi to different numbers of digits (past the decimal): Mathematicians have also proved that there are no repeating patterns in the digits of pi.Įxperts have calculated pi to over 31 trillion digits. Interestingly, there can be no “final” digit of pi, because it’s an irrational number that never ends. Some people even shorten it to 3.14, which is why Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (3/14). For most purposes, pi can be approximated as 3.14159. Since mathematicians can’t work with infinite decimals easily, they often need to approximate pi. Although 22/7 gives a result that is close to pi, it is not the same number. That means its value cannot be expressed exactly as a simple fraction. So, for any circle, dividing its circumference by its diameter will give you the exact same number: 3.14159. Regardless of the size of the circle, pi is always the same number. What is pi? It’s the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. That special relationship turns out to be the mathematical constant known as pi. That’s how ancient mathematicians knew there had to be a special relationship between the elements of a circle. Finally, the area of a circle is the number of square units inside the circle.Ĭircles can vary in size, but they all keep the same shape. The distance from one side of a circle to the opposite side (twice the radius) is the diameter. The distance from the center of a circle to its edge is the radius. The circumference of a circle is its perimeter, or the length around it. Why? Well, we’ll get around (pun intended!) to that in a second. In particular, we need to brush up on circles. Before we can learn more about pi, it will help if we review a bit of geometry. ![]()
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