The Science of Pi: Three Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Irrational Number
Learn all about pi!
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Ah, pi. The only irrational number that everyone seems to memorize. Even if you know hundreds upon hundreds of digits, it is likely that you don’t know what pi is or the science behind it. In this article you will learn everything about pi.
Fact Number 1: Pi = Circumference Divided By Diameter
If you know anything about pi, it is that it is equal to circumference divided by diameter. This means if you take any circle, measure the diameter and circumference, and enter those measurements into the equation, you will get pi every time. So, what is circumference and diameter? In order to explain these, we need to talk about one other key part of a circle: the radius. Let’s say you wanted to measure the bottom of your water bottle. The radius of the circle is a line going from the outside to the very middle, or the equation r = c/2p, with the c = circumference and the p = pi. Diameter is simple: just double the radius! Finally, the circumference is the outside of a circle, or the equation c = 2pr, with r = radius and p = pi.
Fact Number 2: Seventy Thousand Digits!
You may have tried it before: Memorizing digits to show off to your family members/friends. Maybe you even participated in a contest. However, you probably never got very far. The most I have gotten up to is eighty, and that isn’t even close to what some of my friends can do. According to guinnessworldrecords.com, the most pi to have ever been memorized was seventy thousand digits in India by Rajveer Meena on March 21st, 2015. That is a lot of digits!
Fact Number 3: Pi is Used Everywhere!
You may not realize it, but you have probably seen pi somewhere in your life. Listed here are some places you may have seen pi according to piday.org:
-Givenchy’s body spray, meant to smell good and look smart at the same time
-O.J. Simpson’s Trial arguments revolved around the concept of pi
-Albert Einstein’s Birthday is on March 14th, now known as pi day
Now you know a few facts about pi. Time to memorize!
3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986…
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Take Action:
- Go to a pi reciting contest
- Memorize pi
- Show off to your friends and family
