Friday, March 14, 2008

pi day: a constant celebration


mathematicians everywhere (and i think i know at least two people who would unashamedly describe themselves as mathematicians) will be celebrating pi day today - 3/14 - after having made sure that their calculators were stocked with fresh batteries and their moleskine journals primed for the big event!

non-mathematicians might be intrigued to learn that pi is what is described as a “mathematical constant” in other words it is a number that arises naturally in math and is of significant interest in some way. my own relationship with pi has been restricted by choice. it was one of many burrs in my education saddle chiefly consisting of things mathematical. my challenge now is to goad my son into believing that it’s not as difficult or frustrating as it looks and seems. i tell myself that that’s a harmless lie meant to bring about good . . . .

ryan north created this clever cartoon based on pi day and its distant cousin, “pi approximation day” (i kid you not . . . . .)

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