Yum! A Day to celebrate Pi(e)
March 14th. It’s just another day on the calendar for some people. To many others, it’s the celebration of Pi.
Pi is a long, irrational number with a value that was known until 22 trillion decimal places came to be in 2017.
While the calculation of Pi’s value is used as a stress test for computer processors, Pi is also the source of a special day – National Pi Day.
If you’re unfamiliar with Pi Day, you’re in luck because we’re going to share a bit of information on this pop culture holiday.
What is Pi Day?
Also known as the Greek letter “π,” Pi is a symbol used to repeat a constant in mathematics: the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, which is about 3.14159.
Therefore, it’s celebrated on March 14 (3.14), as this date is the first three digits of Pi. Of course, March 14 is also the birthday of Albert Einstein.
When you think about it, March 14 is the perfect date to celebrate Pi Day
How Did Pi Day Become A Holiday?
Physicist Larry Shaw declared March 14 to be Pi Day back in 1988. In fact, the first Pi Day celebration was held at Shaw’s place of work, the Exploratorium, in San Francisco. The celebration included a circular parade and fruit pies.
In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to declare Pi Day an official national holiday. Today, National Pi Day is celebrated by mathematicians all over the world.
How To Celebrate Pi Day
You may be wondering how to celebrate Pi Day. What a great question! How does one celebrate a holiday based on a number with an unknown value?
There are actually several ways to celebrate Pi Day, even if you’re not a mathematician.
Bake Various Pies
Pi Day is not complete without at least one pie, but you can make as many pies as you want for this special day.
In fact, you can make a pizza pie and chicken pot pie for lunch and dinner, and finish the holiday off with a dessert of apple pie or cherry pie.
Busy day? Not a fan of cooking? You can always look into store-bought pies for the occasion.
Solve Math Puzzles
Pi Day is a math-related holiday, right? What better way to celebrate than with math puzzles? You can find and solve problems via books, websites, and apps.
For example, you can stimulate your brain with Sudoku, KenKen, or Numbrix puzzles. Additionally, online sources such as the National Museum of Mathematics offer actual Pi Day puzzles.
The best part is, you can find math and Pi Day-related puzzles for both children and adults, allowing everyone to join the fun.
Solve Pi Day Riddles
With a Google search or a trip to the library, you can find riddles related to Pi Day and math in general.
One example from National Day is, “Why should you never talk to Pi? Because he’ll just go on forever.”
Telling Pi Day riddles is something children and adults alike can enjoy.
Look For Retail Specials
There are several businesses that offer special deals for Pi Day. Be on the lookout for your local place of business with special offers that cost $3.14 – whether it be a pot pie, slice of dessert pie, or even a slice of pizza pie.
Celebrate Albert Einstein
Of course, you can also celebrate Pi Day by honoring Albert Einstein’s birthday. One idea is to bake cookies and use icing to decorate them with “E=mc2.”
You can also look up fun facts about Albert Einstein, or watch the “Animaniacs” cartoon episode titled, “Cookies For Einstein,” which features the genius in animated form.
Enjoy a slice of pie, and you can celebrate both Pi Day and Albert Einstein.
Take The Time To Celebrate Pi Day
If you’re someone who enjoys math, take the time to celebrate National Pi Day while honoring Albert Einstein’s birthday. You can take part in activities such as baking pie, discussing Pi with friends, and solving math problems and riddles.
Maybe you’re not a big fan of math. Celebrate Pi Day anyway, and give yourself a reason to enjoy a slice of pi(e)!
