3-14-2024 1:44pm

Happy PI Day

Samantha Hespos Editor

Pi Day is celebrated every March 14 of each year. In the USA, the United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day. The date of celebration is this day because the first three significant digits of pi are 3, 1, and 4 (3.14), so 3 in months is March while the day is 14.

Pi is a number that is used to describe a circle. It is one of the irrational numbers in mathematics. You get pi when you divide the circumference of the circle by its diameter.

This ratio is always approximately 3.14159265. Technically, there are trillions of values of Pi. It’s a number that is infinite and goes on and on and on. Π is the symbol that denotes pi. Π (pi) is one of the Greek alphabets which translates into ‘p.’ The word Pi and pie both are homophones in the English language. Pie is a sweet or savory dish that can be made by baking.

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day gives an opportunity for math lovers to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and to eat Pie with a Pi or 3.14 dedication on top.

Mathematical experts have calculated the decimal places of Pi for over one trillion digits. Although the truth to this mathematical constant is that it is classified as an infinite number, which means that it has infinite digits. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize and to computationally calculate more and more digits.

The earliest known official or large-scale celebration of Pi Day happened in 1988. It was organized by Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium, where Shaw worked as a physicist. He celebrated with staff, organizing a public march and consuming fruit pies. Even up until this day, the Exploratorium continues to celebrate Pi Day.

The celebration became formal on March 12, 2009, when the US House of Representatives passed H. Resolution 224 recognizing the 14th of March as National Pi Day.

People who celebrate Pi Day like to mark the occasion by baking different pies. Interestingly, Pi is celebrated on two days. One is on March 14th, representing 3.14, the first three digits of the ratio. The other day is July 22nd, denoted as 22/7. Both 3.14 and 22/7 are approximations of pi.

Larry Shaw, a physicist, is credited with organizing the first Pi Day in 1988. Shaw and his colleagues celebrated by circling his office and indulging in pies. Since then, people worldwide have been commemorating this day on March 14th. It wasn't until 2009 that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill officially recognizing March 14th as International Pi Day. Additionally, July 22nd is observed as Pi Approximation Day. Those who write their dates in the format of month/day celebrate Pi Approximation Day on March 14th, while those who use the format day/month celebrate it on July 22nd. Regardless of the date, the essence of Pi Day lies in celebrating and enjoying pies.

Here are some Pi Day facts:

- Pi is an irrational and infinite number.
- Pi Approximation Day is an approximation of Pi Day celebrated on July 22nd (22/7).
- 22/7 is one of the many approximations of Pi.
- Pies are the most consumed food on Pi Approximation Day.
- Some suggest that since Pi Approximation Day is an approximation of Pi, people should also eat pie approximations like tarts.
- There are 250 possibilities to make an apple pie, so people often bake apple pies on Pi Day.