Cognition, coherence and logic enabled a deep love for Mathematics from early primary years with drive to self-learn all through to High School. Today on March 14th written in the American norm as 3/14 it is celebrated as, Pi Day. Pi, denoted by the Greek letter π, is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It is a mathematical constant that is approximately equal to 3.14159. Today, on 3/14, we celebrate Pi Day, a day dedicated to this fascinating number.
The story of Pi dates back thousands of years, with early civilisations like the Indic, Babylonians and Egyptians using approximations of Pi in their calculations. The Indian mathematician Aryabhata, who lived in the 5th century CE, gave an approximation of Pi that was accurate to four decimal places. Later Indian mathematicians, like Madhava and Nilakantha, developed sophisticated series expansions for Pi that allowed for even more accurate approximations.
Ancient writings indicate that the Greeks made significant contributions to the study of Pi. Archimedes, for example, used a clever geometric method to estimate the value of Pi with great accuracy. He inscribed and circumscribed a circle with regular polygons, and by using more and more sides in the polygons, he was able to obtain a value for Pi that was accurate to two decimal places.
Today, Pi is used in a wide range of fields, from engineering and physics to finance and statistics. It is a truly universal constant that has fascinated mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike for centuries.
However, the study of Pi is not just about memorising its value or its history. The Theory of Knowledge course in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) encourages students to learn about the nature of knowledge and the how & why of the process to know things. The study of Pi is an excellent example of how we can use mathematics to understand and describe the world around us.
Enquiry-based learning is also important in the study of Mathematics and to make it a journey of joyful learning. Instead of just memorising formulas and equations, students are encouraged to ask questions and explore different ways of approaching problems. By doing so, they develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the concepts involved.
As we celebrate Pi Day today, let us remember the rich history and fascinating story behind this remarkable number. And, if you're interested in exploring your own career and success potential, consider taking a success and career assessment. Use our and Student Career and Success Report to help you identify your strengths and develop a plan for achieving your goals. Together, we can make the most of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, using enquiry-based learning and critical thinking to unlock your potential.