What is Pi?

Pi is a special number — so special, in fact, that most laypeople are probably aware of it. It’s actually a ratio denoting the relationship between the circumference and the diameter of a circle. The symbol which is used to represent the mathematic consent is the Greek letter π that is approximately 3.14159. Moreover, when it comes to the diameter of the circle and the circumference; it is the distance from edge to edge (measuring through the center), and correspondingly the circumference is the distance around the circle.  Finally, we shouldn’t forget to mention that Pi has been calculated to over 50 trillion digits beyond its decimal point and in reality it is an infinitive number! Its nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.

What makes Pi Day so special?

Probably most of us did not know the existence of Pi Day until now.  But, generally, it is an annually celebration which was firstly founded in 1988 by Larry Shaw, an employee of a science museum in San Francisco, the »Exploratorium». Well, Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14, since the date written numerically corresponds with the first three digits of π. For whom do not know it, that’s because the date in America-where it is mostly celebrated- is written differently  (3/13).

Why is pi important?

The ratio is beloved by math and science enthusiasts for a reason: Pi serves critical functions in many of the most basic and the most complex equations.  It’s necessary to calculate the area and the volume of everything circular and spherical, and it allows humans to measure the sizes of tiny things, like molecules, in a similar way it allows them to estimate the sizes of massive things, like Earth, the moon, other planets and the sun. Finally, Pi helps NASA engineers build spacecrafts just as it helps scientists study newly discovered worlds.

How is Pi Day celebrated?

Pi Day has been observed in many ways, including eating pies, throwing pies and discussing the significance of the number π. In the most celebrations of Pi Day people usually wear T-shirts with the letter π. They claim that they celebrate Pie Day with style! In reality there is a site from which you can purchase The Official Pie Day Shirts. Nevertheless, there are no right or wrong ways to celebrate Pi Day.

“Probably no symbol in mathematics has evoked as much mystery, romanticism, misconception and human interest as the number pi”

~William L. Schaaf, Nature and History of Pi

Last but not least piece of information:

Pi Day was particularly momentous in 2015, when the numerical date corresponded with π up to five digits: 3.1415.

Finally,  if you want to pass your time differently, you can all watch this video that is about the memorization of 100 digits of π.