Pi: Difference between revisions
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== The traditional concept == | == The traditional concept == | ||
Standard mathematics says that π is the ratio between the circumference and the diameter of a [[Circle#The traditional concept|''perfect'' circle]]. | Standard mathematics says that π is the ratio between the circumference and the diameter of a [[Circle#The traditional concept|''perfect'' circle]]. | ||
Standard mathematics "measures" this ratio using the methods of calculus. | Standard mathematics "measures" this ratio using the methods of calculus. | ||
Standard mathematics' notion of π is an irrational number---a number which cannot be written as a ratio of two whole numbers. | Standard mathematics' notion of π is an irrational number---a number which cannot be written as a ratio of two whole numbers. | ||
Thus in standard mathematics, | |||
π = 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105 8209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679... | |||
where the "..." signifies that the digits go on forever. | |||
Revision as of 03:34, 21 January 2024
Pi, or π, is the ratio between the circumference and the diameter of a circle. The numerical value of π depends on context: which circle is under consideration, and how precise are one's measurements?
The traditional concept
Standard mathematics says that π is the ratio between the circumference and the diameter of a perfect circle.
Standard mathematics "measures" this ratio using the methods of calculus.
Standard mathematics' notion of π is an irrational number---a number which cannot be written as a ratio of two whole numbers.
Thus in standard mathematics,
π = 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105 8209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679...
where the "..." signifies that the digits go on forever.