Did you know that World Pi Day falls on March 14? Not pie, but pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference! Pi Day isn’t just a mathematical celebration, but one of human ingenuity. Here are some ways you can celebrate World Pi Day and its rich history.
What is pi?
The use of pi dates back to almost 4000 years ago, with ancient Babylonian and Egyptian civilisations finding their own ways to calculate the area of a circle. The first recorded calculation of pi was done by Archimedes, a Greek mathematician in 212 BC, but the term pi itself would not be coined until 1706 AD.
Pi was introduced to the modern world by British mathematician William Jones, who popularised the symbol π, the greek letter for ‘P’ (pronounced pi), as a way to denote the ratio of a circle’s circumference. Today, pi has brought great convenience to mathematicians and engineers around the world, and has helped make groundbreaking discoveries.
The ongoing search for pi
Pi has infinite digits, and we’re only at 50 trillion! In standard calculations, pi is used to its first fifteen digits, 3.14159265359. There are world records for discovering new digits of pi, with its current record holder being Timothy Mullican, a computer programmer.
Previous pi record holders include Emma Haruka Iwao, a Google employee from Japan who discovered 31 trillion digits of pi and one of the few women in computer science to hold the world record.
Eager pi hunters continue expanding their search for more digits of pi, hoping for their small moment of fame in the Guinness Book of Records.
Planet pi
Seeing as pi deals with spherical objects, it has a unique function in outer space and keeps space exploration going. From calculating the density of an asteroid to measuring the diameter of a moon crater, there isn’t a limit to the functions of pi. Pi is also used to discover the size of planets outside our solar system through light curves!
Space wouldn’t be the same without pi, and scientists today continue to find new uses for pi to further research and discovery. The space industry’s fascination with pi continues to inspire more novel inventions and advances in technology.
Have a slice of Pi(e)
While National Pie Day is over, you can still grab a slice to commemorate World Pi Day! Plenty of teachers use pie to teach students about pi, due to the fact that a pie is shaped like a circle. Get creative and bake your own pi-insPIred pie in whatever shape you fancy! Or if you prefer store-bought, check out Windowsill Pies for unique pie flavours and even customised pies!
Address: 17 Haji Lane, Singapore 189210
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11am–5pm
Memorise the digits of pi
Looking for something fun to do? Why not take a challenge and memorize the digits of pi? Pi enthusiasts take the challenge of memorizing the digits of pi every Pi Day, and it’s a fun way to put your memory to the test! The current world record holder for most number of pi digits memorized is 70,000 in 2015. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next world record holder for memorizing the most digits of pi!
Take part in pi-themed activities
Recite the digits of pi and get pi tattoos, or come dressed dressed up like the famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein to enjoy complimentary admission to Science Centre Singapore. This Pi Day, Science Centre Singapore has organised a range of activities to commemorate the occasion! NASA also has plenty of online activities that explore the practical applications of pi.
Address: 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
Opening Hours: Fridays–Sundays 10am–1pm, 2pm–5pm
Pi Day is a celebration of our advances in math, science, and technology, and how continued innovation keeps our world moving forward. One infinite number can make a big difference to our lives! So, have a slice of pie, and take a moment to celebrate humanity’s greatest achievements on World Pi Day.
