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Happy Pi Day!

themetfairy Mar 13 2013 06:59 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 14 2013 05:57 AM

Remember to celebrate 3/14 responsibly!

Kong76 Mar 13 2013 07:12 PM Re: Happy Pi Day!

I haven't taken a math class since the early 80's ... what is the significance of Pi again?

Ceetar Mar 13 2013 07:58 PM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Kong76 wrote: I haven't taken a math class since the early 80's ... what is the significance of Pi again? non-repeating infinite decimal.

Kong76 Mar 13 2013 08:01 PM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Knew it was something freaky .. thanks

Frayed Knot Mar 14 2013 06:24 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Ceetar wrote: Kong76 wrote: I haven't taken a math class since the early 80's ... what is the significance of Pi again? non-repeating infinite decimal. Not just any non-repeating infinite decimal but a specific non-repeating infinite decimal, namely the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, a factor which happens to work out to be an infinite non-repeating decimal. Truly one of the great discoveries of mankind. That said, those mooks who have the thing memorized to like 1,000 digits or something are pretty weird if you ask me. Because, unless your job deals with moon landings or the like, I think that 3.14159 is likely sufficient even for those too nerdy for just plain old 3.14

Ceetar Mar 14 2013 06:25 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: Kong76 wrote: I haven't taken a math class since the early 80's ... what is the significance of Pi again? non-repeating infinite decimal. Not just any non-repeating infinite decimal but a specific non-repeating infinite decimal, namely the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, a factor which happens to work out to be an infinite non-repeating decimal. Truly one of the great discoveries of mankind. That said, those mooks who have the thing memorized to like 1,000 digits or something are pretty weird if you ask me. Because, unless your job deals with moon landings or the like, I think that 3.14159 is likely sufficient even for those too nerdy for just plain old 3.14 3.14159265358979

Frayed Knot Mar 14 2013 06:33 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

22/7 works quite nicely in most cases too.

themetfairy Mar 14 2013 06:37 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

By coincidence, March 14th was Einstein's birthday. Not that Einstein is necessarily related to Pi. But since Einstein lived in Princeton, the confluence of the two has become a big local event in recent years.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 14 2013 06:50 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Ceetar wrote: Kong76 wrote: I haven't taken a math class since the early 80's ... what is the significance of Pi again? non-repeating infinite decimal. It's more than that. It's part of the formula for calculating the area and the circumference of a circle.

Ceetar Mar 14 2013 06:55 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

also the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet. and used to calculate the coefficient of friction. edit: That's Mu. Damn greeks have me confused in the morning.

Edgy MD Mar 14 2013 07:52 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Yeah. In another sense, you can celebrate Pi Day on July 22, especially in Europe, as "22/7" incorporates the slash in both the date and the number that serves as the geometric formulaic factor, with the added bonus that it's a perfectly accurate representative of the number whereas any base-ten decimal representation is by definition an estimate.

Ceetar Mar 14 2013 07:58 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah. In another sense, you can celebrate Pi Day on July 22, especially in Europe, as 22/7 incorporates the slash in both the date and the number that serves as the geometric formulaic factor, with the added bonus that it's a perfectly accurate representative of the number whereas any base-ten decimal representation is by definition an estimate. Sure, but that's like Martin Luther King Day (Observed) since it's not really Pi. It's just a different irrational number that is often used to approximate it.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 14 2013 08:07 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

3.14 is also an approximation.

Edgy MD Mar 14 2013 08:14 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Is 22/7 approximate? I thought it was dead-on!

Mets – Willets Point Mar 14 2013 08:16 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Everyone saying Pi Day just puts that "Friday" song in my head.

Ceetar Mar 14 2013 08:22 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Edgy MD wrote: Is 22/7 approximate? I thought it was dead-on! 22/7=3.14285714286 ? = 3.14159265358 for most calculations it's probably close enough, but math people are generally particular. pi is irrational, meaning it cannot by definition be represented by a/b.

Edgy MD Mar 14 2013 08:55 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Everyone saying Pi Day just puts that "Friday" song in my head. I don't care for Googolplex Moser's number has me vexed Kaprekar's constant, you're gone next But Pi Day, I'm in love! Shannon number gives no glee Hardy–Ramanujan, not for me G-delta, you won't set me free 'Cuz Pi Day, I'm in love!

The Second Spitter Mar 17 2013 05:10 AM Re: Happy Pi Day!

Frayed Knot wrote: 22/7 works quite nicely in most cases too. Especially in countries that set-out the date correctly. edit: as already stated elsewhere.