Story 2014-03-15 3FZ How America Celebrates Pi Day

How America Celebrates Pi Day

by
in science on (#3FZ)
story imageAcross the country, math geeks in museums, schools, private groups and elsewhere gather to celebrate the number pi, approximately 3.14. That's why March 14 -- 3-14 -- is Pi Day. What's more, Albert Einstein was born on this day.

Throughout history, people have been captivated by this number because there is no way to calculate it exactly by a simple division on your calculator. What's more, its digits go on infinitely, without any pattern in the numbers. 3.1415926535897932 ... etc. Even that many digits are more than most people would need for everyday use, but some folks have been inspired to memorize thousands of digits of pi, or even use the digits to create poetry or music.

If you want to go where the day is said to be "invented," look no further than San Francisco's Exploratorium. Larry Shaw, who worked in the electronics group at the museum, began the tradition in 1988. Last year was Pi Day's 25th anniversary there.
Reply 8 comments

Scientology is taking over (Score: 2)

by axsdenied@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 04:03 (#JQ)

"What's more, Albert Einstein was born on this day."

Interesting useless fact. So was L. Ron Hubbard, amongst millions of other people.
Perhaps Scientologists are celebrating the Pi Day?

xkcd (Score: 4, Funny)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 04:49 (#JS)

It's like xkcd knew to put this out a few days ago. So that we could all repost it today!

2016 (Score: 2, Insightful)

by rocks@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 13:56 (#JX)

Will we celebrate pi day, 2016 especially?

Re: 2016 (Score: 1)

by joshuajon@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 17:31 (#K1)

Maybe I missed the sarcasm, but it seems like 3/14/15 will be the special one.

Re: 2016 (Score: 1)

by joshuajon@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 17:31 (#K2)

Oops, rounding error.

OT: Is there no way to edit comments on |. ?

Re: 2016 (Score: 2, Funny)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2014-03-15 20:25 (#K4)

Just a preview button!

I think the main reason why there is no edit button on slash-like sites is because of the comment moderation. Otherwise, you could write a very good comment, wait for it to get +5, Informative and then edit it to say something troll-ish.