When I say Pi Day, I am, of course, referring to the date,
which, if written like a decimal (and, ignoring the first two digits of the
year) reads like this: 3.1416. This is an approximation of π, pronounced Pi,
which is the Greek letter used to stand for the irrational number you get if
you divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter – supposing your
circle is very round and your instruments are very good.
You may recall that, last year, all the Pi-Geeks made a big
deal about March 14 being the Pi Day of the Century.
I disagree. Being as, year year’s date is 3.14.16, and most
of us round 3.141592653589793238462643… to 3.1416, I think today is the real Pi
Day of the Century!
Celebrate with me. Eat some Pie. But measure the
circumference and diameter of your pie before you cut it, to experience the joy
of π. Today is the day, or wait for 100 years to do it again! Or both!
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