Π: 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]]. It follows from this (after a nontrivial proof) that its notion of π is an irrational number---a number which cannot be written as a ratio of two whole numbers. | ||
Revision as of 00:31, 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. It follows from this (after a nontrivial proof) that its notion of π is an irrational number---a number which cannot be written as a ratio of two whole numbers.