| Pi Day | |
|---|---|
Larry Shaw, the creator of Pi Day, at the Exploratorium |
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| Observed by | Worldwide |
| Type | Secular |
| Significance | 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant figures of Ï |
| Date | March 14 |
| Celebrations | Pie eating, discussions about Ï [1] |
| Related to | Pi Approximation Day |
| Part of a series of articles on |
| the mathematical constant Ï |
|---|
| Uses |
| Properties |
| Value |
| People |
| History |
| In culture |
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| Related topics |
Pi Day is a holiday commemorating the mathematical constant Ï (pi). Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (or 3/14 in month/day date format), since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of Ï in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day.[2]
Pi Approximation Day is held on July 22 (or 22/7 in day/month date format), since the fraction 22â7 is a common approximation of Ï.[3]
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Larry Shaw created Pi Day in 1988.[4] The holiday was celebrated at the San Francisco Exploratorium, where Shaw worked as a physicist,[5] with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, then consuming fruit pies.[6] The Exploratorium continues to hold Pi Day celebrations.[7]
On Pi Day 2004, Daniel Tammet recited 22,514 decimal digits of Ï.[8]
On March 12, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution (HRES 224),[2] recognizing March 14, 2009, as National Pi Day.[9]
For Pi Day 2010, Google presented a Google Doodle celebrating the holiday, with the word Google laid over images of circles and pi symbols.[10]
At 9:26:53 on Pi Day 2015, the date will be 3/14/15 at 9:26:53, corresponding to 3.141592653.
Pi Day is observed on March 14 because of the date's representation as 3/14 in month/day date format. This representation adheres to the commonly used approximation of 3.14 for Ï.
The fractional approximation of Ï,22â7, resembles the date July 22 in the day/month format, where it is written 22/7. Pi Approximation Day is therefore celebrated on July 22.
There are many ways of celebrating Pi Day. Some of them include eating pie and discussing the relevance of Ï.[1]
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology often mails its application decision letters to prospective students for delivery on Pi Day.[11]