Pi: A Biography of the World's Most Mysterious NumberWe all learned that the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter is called pi and that the value of this algebraic symbol is roughly 3.14. What we weren't told, though, is that behind this seemingly mundane fact is a world of mystery, which has fascinated mathematicians from ancient times to the present. Simply put, pi is weird. Mathematicians call it a "transcendental number" because its value cannot be calculated by any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root extraction. In this delightful layperson's introduction to one of math's most interesting phenomena, Drs. Posamentier and Lehmann review pi's history from prebiblical times to the 21st century, the many amusing and mind-boggling ways of estimating pi over the centuries, quirky examples of obsessing about pi (including an attempt to legislate its exact value), and useful applications of pi in everyday life, including statistics. This enlightening and stimulating approach to mathematics will entertain lay readers while improving their mathematical literacy. |
Common terms and phrases
A₁ accuracy angle approximation value Archimedes b₁ b₂ Buffon's needle calculating the value chapter Chudnovsky circle's circum circumference circumscribed circle closer consider continued fraction convergent cylinder decimal places decimal value diameter digits distance divisors equal equator equilateral triangle example famous find the area formula four geometric German mathematician given circle Howard Eves inscribed and circumscribed larger circle Leonhard Euler look Ludolph van Ceulen mathe mathematician measure meter longer method nonshaded regions number of sides parallel perimeter problem Pythagorean theorem quarter circle r₁ radii Ramanujan ratio regular hexagon regular polygon represent result Reuleaux triangle right triangle rope sector segment semiperimeter shaded region small circle smaller semicircles sphere square Srinivasa Ramanujan subtract the area surface symbol Tamura tangent teardrop shapes transcendental number trillion William Shanks Yasumasa Kanada π π πο πρ