Mathematicians And Diners Prepare For Ultimate Pi Day

CBS Detroit ^ | March 13, 2015 | Edward Cardenas

[beaversmom]

SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) – Mathematicians will celebrate Saturday’s date, and those who struggled with high school math may shudder, as the world recognizes Pi Day March 14 (3-14).

The date represents the irrational number 3.14 which expresses the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, and for the only time this century, can be extended to include ten digits at 3/14/15 9:26:53 (which in actuality could be extended to an infinite number for those who recall their math classes).

But while it may seem “irrational” to celebrate the day by those who are numerically inclined, Congress did recognize March 14 as Pi Day in 2009. It is also a day when science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is celebrated.

For those wondering if Pi would be used after math classes, Pi is used to deliver television and Internet signals, according to a blog by Comcast. The signals that carry video and data to homes over millions of miles of fiber optics and coaxial cable travel along periodic waves which are mathematically calculated by using Pi.

“In today’s fast-paced world, STEM education continues to be one the most important initiatives. Media and technology companies need to support and foster a strong pipeline of technologists to keep up with the growing demand for innovation,” said Atish Banerjea, EVP and Chief Information Officer, NBCUniversal wrote in a blog post. “Our vast portfolio of brands allows us a unique opportunity to amplify the discussion from a range of perspectives that fit authentically with each audience and their interests. Pi Day is a fun way to spread the word about STEM. Technology isn’t just for geeks anymore.”

Comcast is extending the celebration to its family of companies through programming and events.

Locally Grand Traverse Pie Co. is offering a free slice of ABC pie with any purchase along with a contest to recite Pi; Blaze Pizza in Novi and Royal Oak is offering $3.14 pies; TechShop is offering admission to its learning center from 2-3 p.m. Saturday for any size or flavor pie and Sister Pie will be at Shed 5 at Eastern Market selling their pies, offering pie stamps and “pie fives.”

Hudson Mills MetroPark will also host Michigan’s Original Pi Run Saturday which is 3.14 miles and concludes with pie from Achatz Handmade Pie Co. The event is sold out.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Amateurs, all amateurs. A “real” pie day would consist of a slice of Strawberry, Apple, French Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Pineapple, Boston Cream, Lemon, Key Lime and Chocolate Cream pie. A la mode for the Apple, if you want.

Anything less is lower than the Ted Mack Amateur Hour.

[Hot Tabasco]

Math is perspective.

Math is not my friend. Geometry and Trigonometry are communist enemies.........

[fanfan]

I’d go for blueberry phi. :-)

[fanfan]

enemies of communism?

[mikrofon]

Pi in the Sky

[Hot Tabasco]

enemies of communism?

Commie Geometry got my butt whipped because I flunked it......and to this day, there has never been a day in my life where I had to rely on it.........

So my butt got whipped for nothing other than communism.......

[taxcontrol]

Professor: Pi R square
Student: No, Pie are not square. Pie are round

[Steve_Seattle]

I wonder if Shari’s will offer free pie on that day.

[Tripoli]

student: no. cake are square, pie are round

[Steve_Seattle]

I thought pi was normally rounded to 3.1416, which would make next year the big year.

[SunkenCiv]

You seem a little crusty. /rimshot

[Steve_Seattle]

"Most people seem to know pi is 3.14... but have no idea that it solves an actual equation or how it’s derived."

Most people over the age of 50, maybe, but I wouldn't bet that more than 20% of the man-on-the-street could tell you what the value of pi is. As for how it's derived, you'd probably have to be a professional mathematician to do a good job of explaining it. All I know is that it's used in measuring the circumference of a circle by multiplying it by the diameter of the circle (I think). And I think pi times radius squared equals the area of a circle. But my geometry class was about 50 years ago, so don't shoot me if I'm wrong.

[Larry Lucido]

In Japan it will be celebrated on 2031 April 15. :-)

[Axenolith]

Actually, it’ll happen twice tomorrow for users of the 12 hour clock :-)

[P.O.E.]

I say we round off Pi to 3

We’ve already rounded off an infinite number of decimal places, what’s a few more.

[P.O.E.]

BTTT 3/14/15 9:26 (Eastern)

[treetopsandroofs]

I'll bet you're right.

Correct. Area of a circle = the value of pi times radius squared.

Pi = Circumference divided by Diameter.

I often know diameter but need to know circumference.

The Pi Pie:

[Joe 6-pack]

My favorite pies (in order):

1. rhubarb
2. cherry
3. blueberry
4. pumpkin

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[JoeFromSidney]

Most people seem to know pi is 3.14... but have no idea that it solves an actual equation or how it’s derived.

Pi is not the solution to an equation, i.e., it is not the root of a polynomial with rational coefficients. It is a so-called "transcendental number." It is calculated by successive approximation, summing a series. When digital computers were first introduced, one of the first applications was calculating Pi to several hundred decimal places, simply "because."