It’s captivated curious minds for centuries
One of those constants that exists everywhere—it’s within the curves of a circle, the structure of the universe, and even the very pie you might be munching on March 14.
We’re talking about pi, as in 3.14, and here’s a few fun facts about its history, culture, and even the world of baked goods.
Pi’s story began around 1900 BC, when the Egyptians and Babylonians first approximated this mysterious number. In the 16th and 17th centuries, with the use of calculus, Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz brought pi to the forefront of mathematical study, which has since captivated minds for generations.
The ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, pi is an irrational number that can’t be expressed as a simple fraction; therefore its decimal expansion goes on forever—without repeating. Pi has been calculated to over 62 trillion digits, an astonishingly vast number.
Pi Day is an annual worldwide celebration on March 14, the date representing pi’s first three digits. Recognized by the House of Representatives in 2009, it brings together math lovers, students, and educators for a day filled with activities ranging from contests to discussions and games. Taking advantage of the “pie” reference, bakeries, restaurants and some pizza chains have also joined the fun with discount offers and pie-eating contests.