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Rounding was standard procedure in the ancient world
To some extent, the progress of mathematics—or at least of computation—can be gauged by the progress in the number of digits to which <big><math>\pi</math></big> has been calculated.
To some extent, the progress of mathematics—or at least of computation—can be gauged by the progress in the number of digits to which <big><math>\pi</math></big> has been calculated.
In the Bible, 1 Kings 7:23 contains the passage "And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about." Making many assumptions<ref>Assuming that: the "sea" is perfectly circular; the measurements are to be understood as exact; the measurement of the "compass" and across the "brim" are measurements of the same circle, rather, than say, exterior and interior measurements of a wide lip; etc.</ref> this quotation (which predates Greek mathematics) would appear to approximate Pi as 3. This is within 5 percent, which accords with the one digit [[precision]] of the figures in the passage.
In the Bible, 1 Kings 7:23 contains the passage "And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about." Making many assumptions<ref>Assuming that: the "sea" is perfectly circular; the measurements are to be understood as exact; the measurement of the "compass" and across the "brim" are measurements of the same circle, rather, than say, exterior and interior measurements of a wide lip; etc.</ref> this quotation (which predates Greek mathematics) would appear to approximate Pi as 3. This is within 5 percent, which accords with the one digit [[precision]] of the figures in the passage.<ref>Rounding was standard procedure in the ancient world. [http://www.tektonics.org/lp/piwrong.html Is the Bible Wrong About Pi?] </ref>
Papyrus of Ahmes, dated c. 1650 B.C. circa 1000 years before Book of Kings, shows that ancient Egyptians had value 3 1/6 = 3.167. The Babylonian value from same time <big><math>\pi</math></big> 3 1/8 = 3.125<ref>Boyer, A History of Mathematics, 2nd Edition</ref>. Both these values are within 1 percent of pi.
Papyrus of Ahmes, dated c. 1650 B.C. circa 1000 years before Book of Kings, shows that ancient Egyptians had value 3 1/6 = 3.167. The Babylonian value from same time <big><math>\pi</math></big> 3 1/8 = 3.125<ref>Boyer, A History of Mathematics, 2nd Edition</ref>. Both these values are within 1 percent of pi.