3.14 Ways to Celebrate Pi Day!
March 14, 2011
National Pi Day is March 14th because of the date's representation as 3/14 in month/day date format. The holiday pays tribute to the mathematical constant 3.14159265, which helps describe circles. Pi is calculated by dividing the measurement around a circle by the measurement across the circle.
Many people were introduced to the term in middle school geometry. It is heavily used in science and engineering. TIME reports Pi remains fascinating because it is technically irrational and transcendental. The exact digits of Pi can never truly be known. One-thousand years ago, we knew a few digits of pi. Sometime in the 20th century, that number grew to include thousands of digits. In the past hundred years, mathematicians have been able to define Pi using trillions of digits! Pi may be so fascinating because it reminds us that there are still mysteries out there.
Pi Day is just one opportunity to show the fun side of math and science. How will you celebrate?
The website www.teachpi.org offers a list of activities for teachers and number lovers alike. Some of the site’s suggestions include:
1. Hold a school-wide contest for the recitation of the most digits from memory. Offer a free pizza pie to the winner.
2. Let them eat pie! Encourage students and fellow teachers to bring in cakes, cookies and pies with a Pi Day theme.
3. Ask students to compose an original song, poem or piece of art about Pi Day or the number pi.
The United States House of Representatives supported the designation of Pi Day in 2009. Pi Approximation Day is held on July 22 (or 22/7 in day/month date format), since the fraction 22/7 is a common approximation of pi.