π Day

First, a trip down memory lane to high school mathematics:

The number π is a mathematical constant, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Although commonly approximated as 3.14159, it has been represented by the Greek letter "π" (pi, pronounced pie) since the mid-18th century.

π is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed exactly as a common fraction. Consequently its decimal representation never ends and never settles into a permanent repeating pattern. Also, π is a transcendental number – a number that is not the root of any non-zero polynomial having rational coefficients. This transcendence of π implies that it is impossible to solve the ancient challenge of squaring the circle with a compass and straightedge.

Here are the first 40 digits of π:

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197

Tomorrow is

March (3)

Fourteenth (14)

Twenty fifteen (15)

26 minutes and 53 seconds after 9 (both am and pm) will be the perfect time to enjoy a piece of π.

(Yes, you can round up and begin the celebration at 9:26:54!)

Thanks to my friend and former Pfizer colleague Guy for first bringing this to my attention and reminding me of it every year!

Here is a fun question: when is the next time we will be able to celebrate a pi day? It looks like the next time we can go as many digits as this year will be on March 14^th of (2)159 at 9:26:53. Unfortunately I do not think any of us will be here to celebrate. But if anyone is reading my archived blog, I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Have a relaxing weekend!

Love,

Rebecca