What is Pi?

Pi equals…the ratio of a circle’s circumference

to its diameter

Circumference to Diameter Ratio

The Method of Exhaustion

• Method used to compute the area inside a circle by using the area of polygons with increasing side lengths.

• Archimedes (c. 287 BC–c. 212 BC) used this method to approximate the value of pi.

• This concept is a precursor to limits and the methods of calculus.

Did you know…

• Pi Day is often celebrated on March 14 at 1:59 p.m.

• The first Pi Day was celebrated at the San Francisco Exploratorium in 1988. – The staff and public marched around in

one of its circular spaces, and then consumed pies.

• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers acceptance letters to prospective students on Pi Day.

• Albert Einstein’s birthday is also on Pi Day.

A Few Ways to Celebrate…

• Play Pi Trivia or a Pi Scavenger Hunt• Create illustrations, posters, mobiles, and other

art forms of pi. • Make a video, song, skit, rap about pi.• Construct a timeline of the development and

use of pi throughout history.• Write stories, poetry, other forms of writing

– write a “pi-ku” or “piem” – poem where each line contains the number of words that corresponds to the digits of pi, or the number of letters or syllables in each word correspond to the digits of pi

• Take the Pi Day Challenge– www.pidaychallenge.com

• Measure circles and eat pie!

East Lee Traditional Celebrations

4th Annual Pi in the Face Event

3rd Annual Pi Bee

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Pi in the Face

• Monday, March 14

• Three teachers/administrators get a pie in the face, one during each lunch.

• Anonymous penny votes are collected in math class.

• Voting starts today and ends Friday, March 11.

• The three teachers/administrators who “win” the contest will each choose a student to throw a pie.

Pi Bee – Memorization Contest

• Round 1 – Written– Tuesday/Wednesday, March 8/9 in class– Winner is determined by the most correct

consecutive digits•Counting stops after first error

– Each semi-finalist receives a certificate and mini-pie

• Round 2 – Verbal– Thursday/Friday, March 10/11 in the auditorium– Semi-finalists compete to determine one winner per

period– Each finalist receives a plaque and whole pie

• Round 3 – Written– Tuesday, March 15 in room 226, during 3rd period– Grand champion receives a trophy and TI-Nspire

Calculator

Champion

ELCHS

Pi Bee

2011

Check out www.cow-pi.com for memorization practice

2010 Pi Day Memories