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Jun 25, 2024 · Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, and has the symbol π. Learn about its history, value, uses, and properties from Britannica.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The number π ( / paɪ /; spelled out as " pi ") is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle 's circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159. The number π appears in many formulae across mathematics and physics.
\ (\pi\) is the ratio between a circle's circumference and diameter. That is, \ [\dfrac {\text {circumference}} {\text {diameter}}=\pi.\] \ (\pi\) is a fundamental constant in mathematics, especially in geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It is an irrational number, usually approximated to 3.14, and has many applications in geometry and trigonometry.
- Fundamentals
- History
- Pi in Real Life
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Definition
π {\displaystyle \pi } is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference c {\displaystyle c} to its diameter d {\displaystyle d} : 1. π = c d {\displaystyle \pi ={\frac {c}{d}}}
Approximate value
π {\displaystyle \pi } is often written as π. It is also an irrational number, meaning it cannot be written as a fraction ( a b ) {\displaystyle {\bigg (}{\frac {a}{b}}{\bigg )}} , where a {\displaystyle a} and b {\displaystyle b} are integers (whole numbers). This basically means that the digits of π {\displaystyle \pi } that are to the right of the decimal go forever—without repeating in a pattern, and that it is impossible to write the exact value of π {\displaystyle \pi } as a number. π {...
Mathematicians have known about π {\displaystyle \pi } for thousands of years, because they have been working with circles for the same amount of time. Civilizations as old as the Babylonians have been able to approximate π {\displaystyle \pi } to many digits, such as the fraction 25 / 8 {\displaystyle 25/8} and 256 / 81 {\displaystyle 256/81} . Mo...
There are different ways to calculate many digits of π {\displaystyle \pi } . This is of limited use though. π {\displaystyle \pi } can sometimes be used to work out the area or the circumference of any circle. To find the circumference of a circle, use the formula 2 π r {\displaystyle 2\pi r} (Radius). To find the area of a circle, use the formula...
Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. Learn how to find pi, its digits, and its properties with examples and activities.
Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, an irrational number with the value 3.14159... Pi is used in many equations in geometry, trigonometry and other branches of mathematics.