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As far as the value of pi in 1 Kings--

The pasage mentions an area "round all about" yet this could mean an elliptical area as opposed to a perfect circle. That could create a rounded area with a circumference of 30 and one diameter of 10.

Honestly, I'm just guessing here. I don't really have all the answers, but I'm willing to research and learn.

The pasage mentions an area "round all about" yet this could mean an elliptical area as opposed to a perfect circle. That could create a rounded area with a circumference of 30 and one diameter of 10.

Before that, it says:
"ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass"

The measurment of 30 cubits is obviously to the inside of the "brim" where the water would be and where you would measure the all important volume. I think it is reasonable to conclude that the 10 cubits is the outside dimension, since that is what space the tank would take up. A cubit is approximately 18 inches. It is also reasonable to assume that the thickness of the walls would be one "hand" which is 1/2 of a "span" which is 9 inches or about 4.5 inches. In this case the outside diameter would be 180 inches and the inside diameter (from brim to brim) would be approximately 171 inches. Well, 171 inches times pi equals 537.21 inches which would be 29.845 cubits.

So the inside circumference would be almost exactly 30 cubits and since a cubit was not an exact measurement but an approximation, you would have to round the number off to the nearest "hand" which of course would equal exactly 30 cubits.

If the walls were 4.29 inches thick then it would be exactly 30 cubits without having to round off.