Pi Day
Encyclopedia
Pi Day is a holiday
commemorating the mathematical constant
π (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 π in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States
House of Representatives
supported the designation of Pi Day.
Pi Approximation Day is held on July 22 (or 22/7 in day/month date format), since the fraction
22⁄7 is a common approximation
of π.
, where Shaw worked as a physicist
, with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, then consuming fruit pies. The Exploratorium continues to hold Pi Day celebrations.
On Pi Day 2004, Daniel Tammet
recited
22,514 decimal digits of π.
On March 12, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution
(HRES 224), recognizing March 14, 2009, as National Pi Day.
For Pi Day 2010, Google presented a Google Doodle celebrating the holiday, with the word Google laid over images of circles and pi symbols.
At 9:26:53 on Pi Day 2015, the date will be 3/14/15 at 9:26:53, corresponding to 3.141592653.
The fractional approximation of π,22⁄7, 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 π.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
often mails its application decision letters to prospective students for delivery on Pi Day.
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
commemorating the mathematical constant
Mathematical constant
A mathematical constant is a special number, usually a real number, that is "significantly interesting in some way". Constants arise in many different areas of mathematics, with constants such as and occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory and calculus.What it means for a...
π (pi)
Pi
' is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter. is approximately equal to 3.14. Many formulae in mathematics, science, and engineering involve , which makes it one of the most important mathematical constants...
. Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (or 3/14 in month/day date format
Calendar date
A date in a calendar is a reference to a particular day represented within a calendar system. The calendar date allows the specific day to be identified. The number of days between two dates may be calculated. For example, "24 " is ten days after "14 " in the Gregorian calendar. The date of a...
), since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits
Significant figures
The significant figures of a number are those digits that carry meaning contributing to its precision. This includes all digits except:...
of π in the decimal form. In 2009, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
supported the designation of Pi Day.
Pi Approximation Day is held on July 22 (or 22/7 in day/month date format), since the fraction
Fraction (mathematics)
A fraction represents a part of a whole or, more generally, any number of equal parts. When spoken in everyday English, we specify how many parts of a certain size there are, for example, one-half, five-eighths and three-quarters.A common or "vulgar" fraction, such as 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, etc., consists...
22⁄7 is a common approximation
Approximation
An approximation is a representation of something that is not exact, but still close enough to be useful. Although approximation is most often applied to numbers, it is also frequently applied to such things as mathematical functions, shapes, and physical laws.Approximations may be used because...
of π.
History
Larry Shaw created Pi Day in 1988. The holiday was celebrated at the San Francisco ExploratoriumExploratorium
The Exploratorium is a museum in San Francisco with over 475 participatory exhibits, all of them made onsite, that mix science and art. It also aims to promote museums as informal education centers....
, where Shaw worked as a physicist
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces, then consuming fruit pies. The Exploratorium continues to hold Pi Day celebrations.
On Pi Day 2004, Daniel Tammet
Daniel Tammet
Daniel Tammet is a British writer. His best selling 2006 memoir, Born On A Blue Day, about his life with high-functioning autism and savant syndrome, was named a "Best Book for Young Adults" in 2008 by the American Library Association.Tammet's second book, Embracing the Wide Sky, was named one of...
recited
Piphilology
Piphilology comprises the creation and use of mnemonic techniques to remember a span of digits of the mathematical constant . The word is a play on Pi itself and the linguistic field of philology....
22,514 decimal digits of π.
On March 12, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution
Non-binding resolution
A non-binding resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body that cannot progress into a law. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion....
(HRES 224), recognizing March 14, 2009, as National Pi Day.
For Pi Day 2010, Google presented a Google Doodle celebrating the holiday, with the word Google laid over images of circles and pi symbols.
At 9:26:53 on Pi Day 2015, the date will be 3/14/15 at 9:26:53, corresponding to 3.141592653.
Date abstractions from pi
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 π.The fractional approximation of π,22⁄7, 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.
Celebration
Pie
A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients....
and discussing the relevance of π.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
often mails its application decision letters to prospective students for delivery on Pi Day.
External links
- Official web site for Pi Day
- Exploratorium's Pi Day Web Site
- NPR provides a "Pi Rap" audiovideo
- Pi Day Activity - Memorizing Pi
- Pi Day Challenge - Students have fun with math and logic!
- piZone Pi education, history and activities including National Pi Day & Pi approximation day
- The Pi Searcher Search for arbitrary digits in Pi. Often updated with new features on Pi Day.