The origins of Pi Day

Today happens to be a big holiday in the Nerd World, little known in the Straight World.

March 14^th is Pi Day.

A day to honor the mathematical symbol ∏

Which is equal to….c’mon you remember…Three point….

One four. 

And what is the numeric equivalent of March 14^th?

Third month, fourteenth day ---3-14. Three one four. 

God, geeks are weird.

Weirder still, today happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday.

And how would a nerd research a Pi day memo?

Why, he’d go to Wikipedia.

So here is Wikipedia’s – intel on all things pi.

Pi Day

Written in the USA date format, March 14 is an unofficial celebration for Pi Day derived from the common three-digit approximation for the number π: 3.14. It is usually celebrated at 1:59 PM (in recognition of the six-digit approximation: 3.14159). Some, using a twenty-four-hour clock rather than a twelve-hour clock, say that 1:59 PM is actually 13:59 and celebrate it at 1:59 AM or 3:09 PM (15:09) instead. Parties have been held by the mathematics departments of various schools around the world.

This day is celebrated in a variety of ways. Groups of people, such as maths or science based clubs, might gather to consider the role that the number π has played in their lives and to imagine the world without π. During such an event, pi celebrants may devise alternative values for π, eat pie, play piñata, drink piña Colada, eat pineapple) or watch Pi. The shape of the pie is sometimes square, due to the pronunciation of the equation of a circle = πr2, i.e. "pie are squared."

Enthusiasts also note that the day happens to be Albert Einstein's birthday. It's also curious to note that the renowned science and technology university MIT, known as widely for its unconventional, quirky take on math ,high academic standards and low acceptance rates, often mails out its acceptance letters to be delivered to prospective students on Pi Day.

The "ultimate" pi moment[1] occurred on March 14, 1592, at 6:53 AM and 58 seconds. When written in American-style date format, this is 3/14/1592 6:53.58, which corresponds to the value of pi to twelve digits: 3.14159265358. However, considering this was well before any kind of standardized world time had been established, and the general public had no concept of π, the occurrence likely went unnoticed[2].

 So go out  for lunch at 3:14 today go to Sbarro’s and grab a piece of pi.

And sing a little pi ditty on the way....

Oh Number PI

(to the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree")

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

Your digits are unending,

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

No pattern are you sending.

You're three point one four one five nine,

And even more if we had time,

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

For circle lengths unbending.

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

You are a number very sweet,

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

Your uses are so very neat.

There's 2 Pi r and Pi r squared,

A half a circle and you're there,

Oh, number Pi

Oh, number Pi

We know that Pi's a tasty Pi

So, Happy Birthday Albert.

And Happy Pi Day nerds

Dano

PS: Love the shoes Al