Actually, about Pi-Approximations, today I got up extra early, went to the Math Drop-In Center at my school, and planning to write out some happy digits of Pi on the blackboards. I got annoyed with writing digits in chalk after about a dozen or so, and then just opted to write my favorite infinite product representation of Pi (The Wallis Product). Through out the day some of my friends, and faculty added their favorite formulae. Much fun for the whole department!
In elementary school, I learned to approximate pi using twenty-two divided by seven. Following CoreEcon’s suggestion (European style date), pi day would be July, 22… But, it appears Americans decided to set the date at 3.14!
Every year people like to point out 22/7! First, in the US 22/7 is NOT a date, since we use mm/dd/yy for whatever weird reason. Secondly, 3/14 is just as accurate as 22/7 (and even more so at the time pointed out by Andrew above).
Though, honestly, celebrating pi day twice a year sounds like a great compromise (you know, since it’s a celebration during which the primary fun activity is eating PIE!).
Discussion (8) ¬
Actually, about Pi-Approximations, today I got up extra early, went to the Math Drop-In Center at my school, and planning to write out some happy digits of Pi on the blackboards. I got annoyed with writing digits in chalk after about a dozen or so, and then just opted to write my favorite infinite product representation of Pi (The Wallis Product). Through out the day some of my friends, and faculty added their favorite formulae. Much fun for the whole department!
For fun Pi Day activities (er, I guess for next year) check out
http://teachpi.org/
In elementary school, I learned to approximate pi using twenty-two divided by seven. Following CoreEcon’s suggestion (European style date), pi day would be July, 22… But, it appears Americans decided to set the date at 3.14!
…at 15:9:26 hours?
@licia: that’s because Americans can’t work with fractions.
Okay, I’ve been teaching too long. I’m jaded. Please forgive me.
Every year people like to point out 22/7! First, in the US 22/7 is NOT a date, since we use mm/dd/yy for whatever weird reason. Secondly, 3/14 is just as accurate as 22/7 (and even more so at the time pointed out by Andrew above).
Though, honestly, celebrating pi day twice a year sounds like a great compromise (you know, since it’s a celebration during which the primary fun activity is eating PIE!).