This Saturday, March 14th, is Pi day. Pi, usually represented by the Greek letter
π, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.Why March 14th? Because the first few digits of Pi are 3.14, or 3/14. This year, in 2015, we get to celebrate two extra digits, carrying Pi a bit further to 3.1415 and making this a special Pi day. While mathematicians using computers have calculated Pi to almost three trillion places, we're pretty happy with getting just a couple of extra places -- to 3/14/15.
Even better, Pi day falls on a Saturday, so mathematically minded kids and their parents can celebrate the day together. How? You can check out the
Museum of Mathematics in New York City for their celebration. Or
learn about Pi online. You can bake a pie or order a pizza and quickly check the ratio of its circumference to its diameter - before someone starts eating it. Who says math isn't fun?
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