Today is the first ever National Pi Day! Since today's date is 3/14, math enthusiasts have celebrated the number Pi on this day for years, but this year is the first year that 'Pi Day' has been official!
US Congress just approved a resolution which includes the following statement: "Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Representatives– (1) supports the designation of a `Pi Day’ and its celebration around the world; (2) recognizes the continuing importance of National Science Foundation’s math and science education programs; and (3) encourages schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics." The resolution passed with 391 Yeas and 10 Nays. (For once, congress agreed on something!) Reportedly, congress debated the bill for 40 minutes. I'm really curious what they talked about. :o)
Although I am probably an incorrigible math nerd on some level, I also know that Pi Day is really just an excuse to have a party and eat pie. (Pie is perfect for Pi Day because not only is it a homophone of Pi, but it's also circular!) At the university, we had our usual celebration with our digits of Pi chain and pie-eating contest. This year, I also merged two of my favorite things (math and running) by organizing the university's first ever Pi-K run. If you understand the sign in the picture below from the run, you're probably a bit of a math geek yourself. :o) We started the race at Pi minute, which is at 1:59 p.m. I guess if we were really committed, we would have started at Pi second (1:59:26). At that moment, the numerical representation of the date and time aligns with Pi out to seven decimal places: 3.1415926.
Although I am probably an incorrigible math nerd on some level, I also know that Pi Day is really just an excuse to have a party and eat pie. (Pie is perfect for Pi Day because not only is it a homophone of Pi, but it's also circular!) At the university, we had our usual celebration with our digits of Pi chain and pie-eating contest. This year, I also merged two of my favorite things (math and running) by organizing the university's first ever Pi-K run. If you understand the sign in the picture below from the run, you're probably a bit of a math geek yourself. :o) We started the race at Pi minute, which is at 1:59 p.m. I guess if we were really committed, we would have started at Pi second (1:59:26). At that moment, the numerical representation of the date and time aligns with Pi out to seven decimal places: 3.1415926.
