Pi, a fundamental constant representing a circle's circumference-to-diameter ratio, fascinates scholars. Its decimal expansion extends infinitely without repeating digits
Ancient Babylonians approximated pi as 3,125 by calculating a hexagon's perimeter inscribed within a circle, assuming a ratio of 24/25 to the circumference. Egyptians used 256/81 (about 3.16045)
Accurate pi came with inscribing and circumscribing regular polygons around a circle, establishing upper and lower bounds. The average, approximately 3.1418, marked notable progress in precision.
Archimedes' work contributed to pi's study by proving a circle's area-to-radius-squared ratio remains constant. This insight advanced understanding circle properties and their relationship to pi.
European mathematical analysis introduced improved pi calculation methods. Sir Isaac Newton rapidly computed 16 decimal places using his binomial theorem, demonstrating the power of infinite series.
20th-century mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan revolutionized pi's calculation with efficient methods. His contributions influenced computer algorithms, enabling more accurate approximations.
Computers played a crucial role, calculating pi to 31,415,926,535,897 decimal places in the early 21st century, even determining its two-quadrillionth binary digit (0).
Pi finds applications in science and engineering, solving problems related to arcs, ellipses, sectors, and curved surfaces. It's essential for describing periodic phenomena like pendulum motion, string vibrations, and electric currents.