What is Pi?
It’s a Greek letter. It’s an irrational number. It’s the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. And it’s a cause for celebration… it’s Pi!
Pi (π) is the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet. It represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference (the distance around the circle) to its diameter (the distance from one side through the middle to the other side).
Regardless of the size of the circle, Pi is always the same number. When you divide a circle’s circumference by its diameter, you should always get 3.14159… or Pi (π).
Why March 14?
Pi is an irrational number that continues infinitely and has no end, but the first three digits are 3.14. When writing out March 14 in short form, it is 3-14, so we celebrate Pi Day on March 14.
{March 14, 2015, was considered an epic event because it represented the first five digits of pi: 3-14-15.}
What is Pi Day?
Pi Day became an official holiday in 2009 when Congress passed a resolution in support of using Pi Day to recognize the importance of math and science education programs. You can read the original bill here.
Even though it’s one letter short of the real thing, Tippin’s loves to celebrate Pi Day on March 14. And what better way to celebrate Pi Day than by eating pie!
Find the Pi of Pie
In fact, pie is the perfect thing to use to demonstrate how to measure Pi. You can learn something and then eat something delicious. Win-win!
Get a piece of string or yarn and wrap it around a pie, then cut the string when the ends meet. Use a ruler to measure the string (circumference). Then measure the length across the pie through the center (diameter). Now divide the circumference by the diameter. You should get 3.14.
Math + Pie = Pi Day Fun
In Kansas City, we’re partnering with Science City for the fun activities they’re hosting for Pi Day. Join us at Science City on March 14 to use Tippin’s pies to measure Pi and enjoy pie samples.
If all this talk of Pi is making you crave pie, find a store near you that carries Tippin’s pies. Some stores even run specials on pie for Pi Day to get in on the fun of this mathematical holiday!
