Momentum Learning Centre
  • Home
  • About
  • Programs Offered
  • Policies & COVID19
  • Contact Us

Pi, Pie, 3.14... and MATH!

3/21/2012

0 Comments

 
Yes, I know this is a bit late, but last Wednesday was PI Day and I thought it would be fun to write a little bit about this fun math number!

The reason for this post is last Wednesday was PI day.  This was because it was March 14th, and, put into numerical form 3/14 (or 3.14).  This is a fabulous day to celebrate the mathematical number Pi. 

A brief history, Pi is a greek word for the letter/symbol that we use to stand for the constant 3.14... (the dots are because this number is non-repeating and non-terminating, meaning it never ends!!).  This fancy number shows the ratio (or relationship) between a circle's circumference (measurement around the outside) and its diameter (measurement straight across the circle).  Generally, we use it in math when we're measuring, or for my grade 10's throughout lovely Unit 1!!

Now, in elementary school we are generally not allowed to use our calculators much, so will use Pi as exactly 3.14.  However, in highschool we are then introduced to the calculator button Pi.  The reason we use this is because it is MUCH more accurate, and because how many people WANT to remember the first 10 digits of Pi? Not I!!

I do have a side story though.  I always remember, during elementary and high-school, my dad reciting out at least the first 15 digits of Pi because he HAD to learn it in highschool (or university, I can't remember).  Consequently, because it was repeated so many times, the most I can remember is 3.1415926 although I much prefer to just press the Pi button on my calculator.  So, you ask in amazement, he had to MEMORIZE the number??  Yes, this was much before the days where calculators had fancy Pi buttons...... Perhaps it was before the invention of the calculator?  (I'm only teasing, as I'm sure that he just might read this!)

In case this amusing anecdote inspires you to read more, a quick search brings this wikipedia article on Pi and its history.  It is a bit wordy, but skimming you will get the gist of it!

As I thought more about Pi, I remembered this video clip I had seen a few years ago.  We had been on the topic of people on the Autistic Spectrum (including Aspbergers), and how so often these children are Brilliant at certain skills or subjects.  Someone then forwarded me this video.  Amazing!!
Imagine!! MEMORIZING Pi to over 22,500 places!!!  THOUSANDS of digits!!!  That is unimaginable to me! The world is sure filled with amazing minds!!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Kimberly Simpson, Owner and Certified Teacher

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Art & Soul Open House
    Autism
    Beginnings
    Brain Function
    Change
    Community Events
    COVID
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    Creatures Of Curiosity
    Distributed Learning
    Dl
    English
    Essential Fatty Acids
    Free Tutoring
    Graduation
    Grand Opening
    High School
    Home Learners
    Homeschooling
    Homeschool Options
    Inspiration
    In The News
    Kids Camps
    LCM & LCD
    Learning Styles
    Lowest Common Denominator
    Lowest Common Multiple
    Math
    Math 10
    Momentum Learning Centre
    Montessori
    Nutrition
    Programs
    Quesnel
    Quesnel Kids Camps
    Resources
    School
    Shakespeare
    Summer Programs
    Supplements
    Teaching Funnies
    Test Taking
    Tutoring
    Updates
    Welcome

    Archives

    July 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    January 2019
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Programs Offered
  • Policies & COVID19
  • Contact Us