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'''Pi''' is the sixteenth letter of the [[Greece|Greek]] [[alphabet]] and is used in its lower case form (<big><math>\pi</math></big>) to represent the mathematical constant of the same name which is defined as ''the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter''.  It is an important number and appears in many [[mathematics|mathematical]] and [[physics|physical]] formulae.   

'''Pi''' is the sixteenth letter of the [[Greek]] [[alphabet]] and is used in its lower case form (<big><math>\pi</math></big>) to represent the mathematical constant of the same name which is defined as ''the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter''.  It is an important number and appears in many [[mathematical]] and [[physics|physical]] formulae.   

The value of <big><math>\pi</math></big> is an [[irrational number]]; which means that it cannot be fully expressed as a fraction or a decimal (regardless of the number of digits used).  

The value of <big><math>\pi</math></big> is an [[irrational number]]; which means that it cannot be fully expressed as a fraction or a decimal (regardless of the number of digits used).  

==History==

==History==

To some extent, the progress of mathematics&mdash;or at least of computation&mdash;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&mdash;or at least of computation&mdash;can be gauged by the progress in the number of digits to which <big><math>\pi</math></big> has been calculated.  

Some ancients expressed pi by using fractional approximations. Papyrus of Ahmes, dated c. 1650 B.C., shows that ancient Egyptians had value 3 1/6 = 3.167). The Babylonian value from the same era was 3 1/8 = 3.125<ref>Boyer, A History of Mathematics, 2nd Edition</ref>. Both these values are accurate to within 1 percent.  Note that the value 22/7 (3 1/7) is still used today.

Some ancients expressed pi by using fractional approximations. Papyrus of Ahmes, dated c. 1650 B.C., shows that ancient Egyptians had value 3 1/6 = 3.167). The Babylonian value from the same era was 3 1/8 = 3.125<ref>Boyer, A History of Mathematics, 2nd Edition</ref>. Both these values are accurate to within 1 percent.  Note that the value 22/7 (3 1/7) is still used today.

[[Archimedes|Archimedes of Syracuse]] (287-212 BC) carried out "the first theoretical calculation" of pi.<ref> [http://veling.nl/anne/templars/Pi_through_the_ages.html Pi through the ages] </ref>

[[Archimedes]] of Syracuse (287-212 BC) carried out "the first theoretical calculation" of pi.<ref>[http://veling.nl/anne/templars/Pi_through_the_ages.html Pi through the ages]</ref>

He said it was between 223/71 and 22/7. This is ten times better than the Egyptian and Babylonian values: within 0.04% of pi.

He said it was between 223/71 and 22/7. This is ten times better than the Egyptian and Babylonian values: within 0.04% of pi.

==Recreational use==

==Recreational use==

Memorizing <big><math>\pi</math></big> is a challenge that appeals to some people. Mnemonics have been devised. Counting the letters in the phrase "Now I want a drink&mdash;alcoholic, of course" gives <big><math>\pi</math></big> to seven places (which is more than enough for all ordinary purposes). Numerous other mnemonics of this kind have been devised; in 1995, Michael Keith wrote one entitled [http://users.aol.com/s6sj7gt/mikerav.htm Near a Raven] which simultaneously parodies [[Edgar Allen Poe]]'s poem ''The Raven,'' while encoding <big><math>\pi</math></big> to 740 places.

Memorizing <big><math>\pi</math></big> is a challenge that appeals to some people. Mnemonics have been devised. Counting the letters in the phrase "Now I want a drink&mdash;alcoholic, of course" gives <big><math>\pi</math></big> to seven places (which is more than enough for all ordinary purposes). Numerous other mnemonics of this kind have been devised; in 1995, Michael Keith wrote one entitled [http://users.aol.com/s6sj7gt/mikerav.htm Near a Raven] which simultaneously parodies [[Edgar Allen Poe]]'s poem ''The Raven,'' while encoding <big><math>\pi</math></big> to 740 places.

Pi Approximation day is a similar holiday, celebrated on July 22 (from the approximation 22/7). <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/mathscience/2007-03-14-pi-day_N.htm USA Today (3/14/2007) - Pi-day]</ref>

Pi Approximation day is a similar holiday, celebrated on July 22 (from the approximation 22/7). <ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/mathscience/2007-03-14-pi-day_N.htm USA Today (3/14/2007) - Pi-day]</ref>

Pi is approximately 3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679...

Pi is approximately:

 

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286208998628

0348253421170679821480865132823066470938446095505822317253594081284811174502841027...}}

== Greek Language Usage ==

== Greek Language Usage ==

==Does the Bible attempt to define pi?==

==Does the Bible attempt to define pi?==

The claim is based on a verse in the [[I Kings|first book of Kings]]:

The claim is based on a verse in the [[I Kings|first book of Kings]]:

{{bible quote|He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten [[cubit]]s from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.|book=1_Kings|chap=7|verses=23|version=NIV}}

{{bible quote|He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten [[cubit]]s from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.|book=1_Kings|chap=7|verses=23|version=NIV}}

However, even if the claim is correct, rounding pi to 3 is not "incorrect," an "error" or "wrong" and is perfectly acceptable in some circumstances.<ref>http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52573.html</ref> The creation of a "sea of cast metal" by human beings (not God) in ancient times without modern construction tools and measuring equipment is easily understood as one of those circumstances.

However, even if the claim is correct, rounding pi to 3 is not "incorrect," an "error" or "wrong" and is perfectly acceptable in some circumstances.<ref>http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52573.html</ref> The creation of a "sea of cast metal" by human beings (not God) in ancient times without modern construction tools and measuring equipment is easily understood as one of those circumstances.

== Bibliography ==

==Bibliography==

* Grigg, Russell, [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/1731/ Does the Bible say pi equals 3.0?] ''Creation'' 17(2):24–25, March 1995.

* Grigg, Russell, [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/1731/ Does the Bible say pi equals 3.0?] ''Creation'' 17(2):24–25, March 1995.

* Holding, James Patrick, [http://www.tektonics.org/lp/piwrong.html Pi Gets In Your Eye] (Tektonics).

* Holding, James Patrick, [http://www.tektonics.org/lp/piwrong.html Pi Gets In Your Eye] (Tektonics).

* Peterson & Rick, [http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52573.html Rouding Pi] 1st June(?), 1999 (The Math Forum).

* Peterson & Rick, [http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52573.html Rounding Pi] 1st June(?), 1999 (The Math Forum).

== See Also ==

==See Also==

*[[Pi day]]

*[[Pi day]]

*[http://yacas.sourceforge.net/Algochapter5.html#c5s5  Calculation of pi with computers]

*[http://yacas.sourceforge.net/Algochapter5.html#c5s5  Calculation of pi with computers]

==Notes and references==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mathematics]]

[[Category:Mathematics]]