Latest news with #PiApproximationDay
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Pi Approximation Day 2025: What is it and why is it celebrated?
Image credits: X Pi Approximation Day, also known as Casual Pi Day, is celebrated annually on July 22nd. The day recognises and appreciates the mathematical consonant of pi (π), which is known in various aspects of maths and science. What is Pi Approximation Day? Image credits: Getty Images Pi is a special unit in mathematics. Presenting the relationship between a circle's circumference and diameter, the ratio of the two is stated as a constant pi. The symbol of π was first introduced in 1706 by William Jones, a British mathematician. However, it became famous and came to be widely used due to Leonhard Euler, a Swiss mathematician who helped popularise it in his work. Why is Pi Approximation Day celebrated? Pi Approximation Day is celebrated on July 22nd every year, as this date is special. When you divide 22 by 7, you get 3.142857, a number that is very close to the actual value of pi, which is about 3.14159. Since 22/7 is a convenient and easy way to remember the value of pi, the day serves as a reminder of its value. This is why it is also called Casual Pi Day, a more relaxed way of celebrating the symbol without delving into the complex digits. Pi Day, is usually celebrated on March 14th, as 3/14 is a more popular meaning of the mathematical consonant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo What is the significance of Pi (π)? Image credits: Getty Images The symbol of pi has existed for almost 4000 years. In ancient Babylon, people calculated the area of a circle by taking 3 times the square of its radius, making pi's value 3. A Babylonian tablet indicated the value of pi as 3.125, which is a close approximation. As per the Rhind Papyrus, ancient Egyptians calculated the area of a circle by a formula that gave the value of pi as 3.1605. However, the first calculation of pi was completed by Archimedes of Syracuse, who is known as one of the greatest mathematicians of the ancient world. He made use of Pythagoras' Theorem to find the areas of two regular polygons and reached a value approximation between 3 1/7 and 3 10/71. After being introduced by Jones in 1706, mathematicians began using the symbol π for pi. While for some, π has created a lot of difficulties in mathematical calculations, those who love the art of maths love the symbol. In both cases, it remains a vital and memorable symbol in the world of mathematics and the life of every student.
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Honouring the beauty of numbers
Every year on July 22, math enthusiasts around the world celebrate Pi Approximation Day—a day that recognises the mathematical constant π (pi), and more specifically, its practical approximation 22/7. This fraction, while not exact, closely estimates the true value of pi (approximately 3.14159), making it a significant milestone in the history of mathematics. Unlike Pi Day which celebrates the infinite decimal form (3.14), Pi Approximation Day pays tribute to the historical and rational approximation of pi. The choice of 22/7 dates back to ancient mathematicians like Archimedes, who used this value to simplify calculations involving circles, long before the decimal expansion of pi was widely understood. Pi itself is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation never ends and never settles into a repeating pattern. Despite its infinite complexity, approximations like 22/7 have enabled mathematicians, engineers, and architects for centuries to work efficiently on problems involving circles, cylinders, and spheres. Pi Approximation Day is more than just a celebration of a number—it's a tribute to human ingenuity and the quest to understand the universe through mathematics. From calculating planetary orbits to designing bridges and skyscrapers, pi plays a vital role in both theoretical and applied sciences. Educational institutions often mark the day with math games, geometry challenges, and creative lessons that help students see the value of mathematical reasoning. Activities may include calculating the circumference and area of circular objects, exploring the history of pi, or even holding 'pi recitation' contests using the 22/7 approximation. For students and lifelong learners, Pi Approximation Day is a reminder that math isn't just about numbers—it's about patterns, problem-solving, and precision. It celebrates the idea that even complex ideas can be made practical and accessible.
