A History of [pi] (pi)Documents the calculation, numerical value, and use of the ratio from 2000 B.C. to the modern computer age, detailing social conditions in eras when progress was made. |
Contents
DAWN | 9 |
THE BELT | 20 |
THE EARLY GREEKS | 36 |
EUCLID | 45 |
THE ROMAN PEST | 55 |
ARCHIMEDES OF SYRACUSE | 62 |
DUSK | 73 |
NIGHT | 78 |
NEWTON | 134 |
EULER | 147 |
THE MONTE CARLO METHOD | 158 |
THE TRANSCENDENCE OF π | 169 |
THE MODERN CIRCLE SQUARERS | 173 |
THE COMPUTER AGE | 183 |
Notes | 190 |
| 193 | |
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Common terms and phrases
17th century 20th century Alexandria algebraic angle approximation Arabic Archimedean polygons Archimedes arctangent astronomer axioms Babylonians brim calculating calendar century B.C. circle ratio circumference compasses compasses and straightedge construction continued fraction convergence cubits curve decimal digits decimal places derived diameter digit hunters Dinostratus discovered discovery Egypt Egyptians engineering equal equation Euclid Euclidean Euclidean geometry Euler Euler's Theorem example figure finite formula foundation stones functions geometry given Greek Heisel Hippias Hippocrates Huygens Indiana infinite series intersection Johann Kings known Laplace later laws Leibniz Leonhard Euler Library machine mathematician Maya mediaeval method motion needle Newton notation number of decimal obtained Pascal perimeter Petr Beckmann problem proof proved Ptolemy published quadratrix radius rectangle result Roman Rome rope segment sides Snellius squarable square roots squaring the circle straightedge Syracuse theorem theory transcendental triangle Viète Viète's Viète's formula Wallis