Pi Day
| 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 π |
| Date | March 14 |
| Celebrations | Pie eating, discussions about π [1] |
| Related to | Pi Approximation Day |
| Part of a series of articles on |
| the mathematical constant π |
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| Uses |
| Properties |
| Value |
| People |
| History |
| In culture |
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| Related topics |
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.[2]
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.[3]
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[edit] History
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 π.[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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Celebration
There are many ways of celebrating Pi Day. Some of them include eating pie and discussing the relevance of π.[1]
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology often mails its application decision letters to prospective students for delivery on Pi Day.[11]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Landau, Elizabeth (March 12, 2010). "On Pi Day, one number 'reeks of mystery'", CNN. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ a b United States. Cong. House. Supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other purposes. 111th Cong. Library of Congress.
- ^ "Pi Approximation Day is celebrated today.". Today In History. Verizon Foundation. http://www.thinkfinity.org/2010-07-22_pi-approximation-day. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ Berton, Justin (March 11, 2009). "Any way you slice it, pi's transcendental". San Francisco Chronicle. http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-03-11/entertainment/17211858_1_pi-day-pi-shrine-einstein-s-birthday. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
- ^ Jonathan Borwein (10 March 2011). "The infinite appeal of pi". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/03/10/3158045.htm?site=science/opinion. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ^ Adrian Apollo (March 10, 2007). "A place where learning pi is a piece of cake". The Fresno Bee. http://apollotutoring.com/pi_day.pdf.
- ^ "Exploratorium 22nd Annual Pi Day". Exploratorium. http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/index.html. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ Bank, Alan (March 13, 2009)." Pi Queen holds throne", Daily Pilot. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ McCullagh, Declan (March 11, 2009). "National Pi Day? Congress makes it official". Politics and Law (CNET News). http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10194354-38.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ "Google Doodles: 2010 January - March". Google Doodles. Google. http://www.google.com/logos/logos10-1.html. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ McClan, Erin (March 14, 2007). "Pi fans meet March 14 (3.14, get it?)". msnbc.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17605924/. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pi Day |
- 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.
