March 14 (that is, 3/14) is the day when teachers show and engage students in the study of mathematics through fun activities revolved around Pi. It’s the perfect time for educators to show students who don’t enjoy the subject just how fun maths can be.
Here at Light in the Attic Learning, we try and make maths as exciting and interesting as possible everyday in order to help students meet their maximum potential.
The official Pi Day website describes perfectly why Pi is extremely important and has major impact on most aspect of mathematics:
“Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is a constant number, meaning that for all circles of any size, Pi will be the same. The diameter of a circle is the distance from edge to edge, measuring straight through the centre. The circumference of a circle is the distance around.”
Pi is the one number that captivates teachers and students alike as its digits go on infinitely without any pattern in the numbers. For example the first digits are 3.14159 and are the most commonly used digits, but on Pi Day students are inspired to memorize thousands of digits or use them to create art, music and poetry! The Guinness World Record for memorizing pi is held by a Chinese student who recited 67,890 digits correctly!!
Of course, we all need to eat at least one slice of pie to mark the occasion. In downtown Toronto Ryerson University will be giving out desserts at the Sears Atrium all day, followed by talk by math professor Pawel Pralat who will focus on the history, advancement and appearances of pi in pop culture!
If you haven’t had enough pie by this evening Wanda’s Pie in the Sky is hosting a pie showdown. They will be making special square pies, hosting pi trivia, throwing pie catapults and just in general having a fun messy evening.
Today is also Albert Einstein’s birthday, if nothing else, that’s an excuse for all the parents to have a glass of wine!
Happy Pi Day everyone!
Light in the Attic Learning 