Did Someone Say Pi?
3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097494459
2307816406286208998628034825342117067982148086513282306647093844
6095505822317253594081284811174502841027019385211055596446229489
5493038196442881097566593344612847564823378678316527120190914564
8566923460348610454326648213393607260249141273724587006606315588
174881520920962829254091715364367892590360…
The ratio of a circle’s circumference (the distance around it) to its diameter (the distance across it) is ALWAYS equal to pi, also written as π.
c/d= π
Why should you never talk to pi?
(Because he’ll just go on forever.)
Many of us know pi as being equal to 3.14. In actuality, the digits in pi go on forever (F.O.R.E.V.E.R) and appear to have no repeating pattern.
If the digits for pi, to the billionth decimal place, were printed on a piece of paper, in 12-point font, it would stretch from New York City to Kansas.
But How Much Pi Does Anyone REALLY Need?
Mathematicians and math-nerds have made a pastime of calculating digits of pi for centuries. In 2019, using a computer, Google developer Emma Haruka Iwao broke the record for the most digits by calculating pi to 31 trillion – 31,415,926,535,897 to be exact.
Many people have also challenged themselves to memorize a record-breaking number of digits in pi (the record stands at 70,030!). But how much is enough?
According to NASA-JPL director and chief engineer for NASA’s Dawn mission, Marc Rayman, for JPL’s highest accuracy calculations, which are for interplanetary navigation, they use 3.141592653589793.
If that’s enough for NASA, it’s definitely enough for me!
What is Pi Day?
The numbers in the date for March 14th, written as 3-14 in the United States, match the first three digits of the pi. (And it’s also Einstein’s birthday!)
Pi Day was founded in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Since then, it has become an actual holiday, celebrated around the world.
In 2009, the U.S. Congress officially declared March 14 National Pi Day. The resolution states: “The House of Representatives supports the designation of a ‘Pi Day’ and its celebration around the world … and encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.”
And if that wasn’t justification enough to celebrate, in 2010, Pi Day got its own Google Doodle.
Pi Records
While many celebrations of pi day are centered around, well, pie, there have also been some creative individuals that really thought outside the pi-themed box.
In 2014, the largest human pi symbol was formed at a grammar school in Germany, by 589 people.
In Todi, Italy in 2017, the longest human representation of pi digits was formed by students and teachers. The chain was started by the city’s mayor who held up a sign bearing the number 3. Each person in line after him stood for each digit after the decimal, for a total of 520 places.
After much confusion, an astrophysicist finally figured out that a 150m-diameter crop circle that appeared near the English village of Wroughton was a code representing the first ten digits of pi.
Magic in the Pi
I don’t know about you, but things like this are hard for me to wrap my little brain around!
Perform experiment known as “Buffon’s Needle problem”.
You will need 100 toothpicks, a large sheet of paper, a ruler, and a pencil.
On the paper, draw parallel lines using the length of a toothpick for the distance between the lines.
Now, randomly drop the toothpicks on the paper. If any completely miss or roll off the paper, redo that turn.
When all the toothpicks have been dropped, remove any that are partially on the paper.
Count how many are left and how many cross a line.
Divide the total number of toothpicks by the number of line-crossing toothpicks, and multiply by two.
Your answer should be creepily close to pi!
Or you can try the experiment here: https://www.mathsisfun.com/activity/buffons-needle.html
117 years ago, Mario Lazzarini, an Italian mathematician, performed this experiment by throwing almost 4000 needles. He got pi with perfect accuracy, to the first six decimal places!
Pi Day Challenge
While eating obscene amounts of pie may seem like fun, celebrating pi doesn’t have to be all about round food.
NASA has some great activities to honor the pi, in an educational way.
Join their Pi Day Challenge and use pi to solve some of the same problems as NASA scientists and engineers. Most of the lessons are for grades 9-12, but there are some geared toward 4-8. (Educator guides can be found here.)
Cause for Celebration
After completing the challenges, check out 18 Ways NASA Uses Pi for some really interesting examples of pi.
Then, go straight to the origin of Pi Day and celebrate with the Exploratorium with their free, online event.
Pi (π) Day – March 14, 2021: Celebrate Pi (π) Day online with the Exploratorium
Sweet (and savory) Deals
Tons of retailers and restaurants have also gotten on board with Pi Day by offering discounts and freebies on everything from pancakes and donuts to pizza, and, of course, pie! Do a quick search for “pi day deals near me” to see what offers are available.
