Pi Day

Pi Day History

Pi Day commemorates the mathematical constant Pi (π). Signifying the ratio of the circumference of any circle to its diameter, Pi plays a pivotal role in varied aspects of mathematics and science. In recognition of its universal importance, Pi Day is observed globally with an aim to inspire an interest in mathematics and science amongst the younger generation while fostering a deeper understanding in learning communities.

The inception of Pi Day has its roots in the U.S where the physicist Larry Shaw introduced the concept in 1988. It gained official recognition in the United States in 2009. In India, Pi Day holds relevance not merely from an academic perspective but also from a rich cultural standpoint. The intriguing aspect of Pi is it has been known to the Indian mathematical tradition since ancient times, with mathematician-astronomer Aryabhata using the approximation of Pi as 3.1416 in the 5th century.

In India, Pi Day is usually marked in schools and universities with educative events and interactive sessions devised around the concept of Pi. These typically include math quizzes, Pi recitation contests, and even pie eating competitions symbolizing the homophonic play on Pi. Additionally, public meetings featuring eminent mathematicians are held in some cities, fostering an intellectual exchange on the importance of Pi. Much like the rest of the world, in India too, Pi Day is observed on March 14, aligning with Pi's 3.14 decimal representation.

Facts about Pi Day

• In 2015, at 9:26:53 (AM and PM), all of the first ten digits of Pi (3.141592653) were present in the date and time.
• Pi is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed properly as a fraction.
• Albert Einstein, widely referred to as the father of modern physics, was born on March 14, 1879. Therefore, Pi Day also recognizes Einstein's birthday.
• The famous Indian mathematician Aryabhatta in the 5th century CE worked on the approximation of Pi and concluded that Pi is irrational and its value is approximately 3.1416.
• With the infinite series for Pi known as the "Madhava-Gregory-Leibniz series", Madhava of Sangamagrama provided a close approximation and introduced principles that would later be used to calculate Pi with high levels of precision.

In the News and Trending in India for Pi Day

Top things to do in India for Pi Day

• Memorize as many digits of Pi as you can (remember, the World Record Holder was able to memorize 70,000 decimal places of pi).
• Eat a pie to celebrate Pi day and earn bonus points if your can calculate Pi for your pie's circumference! Here are some twists on traditional pies that you can try:
  1) Avocado and cream cheese pie
  2) Cheeseburger and pickle pie made from ground beef, cheese, and chopped dill pickles
  3) Mac and Cheese Pie topped with bacon
  4) Hot dog pie covered with a layer of cheese
  5) Twinkie pie topped with whipped cream
• Practice your geometry and algebra equations that contain the constant Pi. Here are some useful formulas to help you:
  Circumference of a circle = 2 πr
  Area of a Circle = π r^2
  Volume of a Cylinder = π r^2h
  where r=radius and h=height
• Visit the Ramanujan Museum: Dedicated to the Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, located in Chennai.
• Bake a Cake or pie to celebrate Pi Day