Definition:Pi/Definition 1
Definition
The real number $\pi$ (pronounced pie) is an irrational number (see proof here) whose value is approximately $3.14159\ 26535\ 89793\ 23846\ 2643 \ldots$
Take a circle in a plane whose circumference is $C$ and whose radius is $r$.
Then $\pi$ can be defined as $\pi = \dfrac C {2r}$.
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(It can be argued that $\pi = \dfrac C d$, where $d$ is the circle's diameter, is a simpler and more straightforward definition. However, the radius is, in general, far more immediately "useful" than the diameter, hence the above more usual definition in terms of circumference and radius.)
Uniqueness of Pi
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Note that $\pi$ is defined on a per-circle basis. For each circle with its own circumference $C$ and diameter $d$, $\pi$ is defined as the ratio between the two. It is conceivable, then, that $\pi$ has a different value for each circle. It is also true, however, that All Circles are Similar and thus proportional in size. Thus, the value of $\pi$ is consistent between any two circles, and the constancy of $\pi$ is proven.
Decimal Expansion
The decimal expansion of $\pi$ starts:
- $\pi \approx 3 \cdotp 14159 \, 26535 \, 89793 \, 23846 \, 26433 \, 83279 \, 50288 \, 41971 \ldots$
Binary Expansion
The binary expansion of $\pi$ starts:
- $\pi \approx 11 \cdotp 00100 \, 10000 \, 11111 \, 1011 \ldots$
Also see
Sources
- 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): $3 \cdotp 14159 \, 26535 \, 89793 \, 23846 \, 26433 \, 83279 \, 50288 \, 41972 \ldots$
- 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $3 \cdotp 14159 \, 26535 \, 89793 \, 23846 \, 26433 \, 83279 \, 50288 \, 41971 \ldots$
- 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $2$: The Logic of Shape: Archimedes