What is pi

it is the ratio of the circumference of any circle to it's diameter, = approx 3.1415..

3.14159265359

Most of us just use 3.14.

One of our math tutors used pi as her Jiskha name.

Pi (π) is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction and its decimal representation goes on infinitely without repeating.

The value of pi is approximately 3.14159, but it has been calculated to over one trillion digits using advanced computational methods. It is also a transcendental number, which means it is not the root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.

To find the value of pi, you can use various methods. One common approach is to use the formula for the circumference of a circle: C = 2πr, where C is the circumference and r is the radius of the circle. By measuring the circumference and diameter of a circle, you can divide the circumference by the diameter to get an approximate value for pi.

Another way to calculate pi is by using infinite series representations such as the Gregory-Leibniz series or the Nilakantha series. These series involve adding or subtracting specific terms in a sequence to approximate the value of pi. However, these methods are not very efficient for computing large numbers of digits.

For more accurate calculations, computational methods such as the Bailey–Borwein–Plouffe algorithm or the Chudnovsky algorithm can be used. These algorithms use advanced mathematical techniques and iterative processes to compute the digits of pi.

Ultimately, pi is a fascinating mathematical constant with numerous applications in mathematics, physics, engineering, and other fields. Its value and properties continue to be explored and studied by mathematicians worldwide.