Happy Pi Day!

It is Thursday March 14th = Pi Day.

From PiDay.Org:

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159.

Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.  

To celebrate Pi Day, you can:

1. Read or watch The Life of Pi.
2. Head to Princeton for the Princeton Pi Day Party where they will double the effort by celebrating Albert Einstein’s birthday on March 14th as well.
3. Share these pictures:

The constant π is represented in this mosaic outside the mathematics building at the Technische Universität Berlin. (Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

Happy Pi Day (Courtesy of ToothpasteForDinner[dot]com)

As mathematicians discovered new algorithms, and computers became available, the number of known decimal digits of π increased dramatically. (Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

A “Happy Pi Day” collage (By Mykl Roventine via Flickr)

Pi cartoon. Via MathFail[dot]com