Pi Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pi Day and Pi Approximation Day are two unofficial holidays held to celebrate the mathematical constant π (Pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14; Pi Approximation Day may be observed on any of several dates, most often July 22 (22/7 - in European date format - is a popular approximation of π). It is not clear how many people know about the holiday or celebrate it.
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[edit] Pi Day
March 14, written as 3-14 or 3/14 in the United States date format, represents the common three-digit approximation for the number π: 3.14. Pi Day is often celebrated at 1:59 p.m. in recognition of the six-digit approximation: 3.14159. Some, using a 24-hour clock, celebrate it at 1:59 a.m. or 3:09 p.m. (15:09) instead.
Pi Day is celebrated in a variety of ways. Parties or other observances may be held by mathematics departments in educational institutions. Mathematics or science clubs might gather to consider the role that the number π has played in their lives and to imagine the world without π. During such an event, pi celebrants may approximate π, devise alternative values for π, eat pie, play piñata, drink Piña Colada, eat pizza, listen to the song "Pi" by Kate Bush, or watch Pi. The shape of the pie is sometimes square, due to the pronunciation of the equation for the surface area bounded by a circle = πr2, i.e., "pie are squared."
Enthusiasts also note that the day happens to be Albert Einstein's birthday, among other famous birthdays on this day. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, known for its sometimes unconventional and quirky take on mathematics, often mails out its acceptance letters to be delivered to prospective students on Pi Day.
Some also enjoy celebrating "Pi Approximation Day" which can fall on any of several dates:
July 22 (22/7 in some date formats, a popular approximation of pi)
April 26 (when the distance of the Earth's orbit divided by the time it has traveled so far is equal to pi; on leap years the 27th)
November 10 (the 314th day of the year; on leap years the 11th)
December 21, 1:13 p.m. (the 355th day of the year, celebrated at 1:13 for the Chinese approximation 355/113)
[edit] See also
- Darwin Day
- Mole Day
- Square root day
- Towel Day
- Proof that 22 over 7 exceeds π
- List of topics related to pi
- For other holidays celebrated on these days, see March 14 and July 22
[edit] External links
- The Ridiculously Enhanced Pi Page
- Pi Day in Maine with Dr. Wilson's Memory Elixir
- How to Celebrate Pi Day
- Friends of Pi – Freunde der Zahl Pi
- The unofficial Pi Day website
- Ideas for Teachers for Celebrating Pi Day
- Pi Day Giant Pi Drop - Pi Day Central
- The Pi Video
- Pi from Wolfram MathWorld
- The movie Pi from IMDB
