Tag: pi

Calculating The Value of Pi

General Education, High School Mathematics, History of Math

We have met the number 3.1416 or the approximation of pi (written as \pi) in our good old elementary school days. In fact, we have used it a countless number of times in mathematical computations. Most of us have used it when calculating the area of a circle or volume of a sphere, but only a few probably know that it appears in numerous branches of mathematics and even in other sciences.

pi

The number \pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. What does that mean? It means that if we measure the circumference of a circle and its diameter and divide them, the quotient is “three point something.”  Now that three point something is \pi. What is amazing is that this is always true even if the circle is a big as a planet or as small as an atom. » Read more

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Appreciating The Beauty of Circles and Spheres

High School Mathematics, Math Lite, Math Palette

The circle is probably the simplest among the shapes. It has no vertices, no angles, and all the points on its circumference are equidistant to its center.

circle

Hidden in the simplicity of a circle are its intriguing properties. The circumference of the circle when divided by its diameter is always equal to  a single number (\pi) even if it is as small as an atom or as big as a planet.  And what is more amazing is that the number \pi is a neverending decimal where no portion repeats periodically. » Read more

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Happy Pi Day 2013

High School Mathematics

It’s March 14 (3.14) and its Pi Day.

Pi Day is an annual celebration of \pi the most popular mathematical constant. Larry Shaw of San Francisco Exploratorium led the first large celebration of Pi Day in 1988, and since then it has spread all  over the world.

Pi Pie (via Wikipedia)

To know more about \pi, you might want to read my posts about it.

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