Happy Pi Day

On Steady, we recognize that a balance in life must include seeking out opportunities for a little sweetness (of the human kind, to be sure, but also, occasionally, a little sugar). 

With this in mind, we didn’t want Pi Day (3/14, as in 3.14) to go by without at least a brief mention here. In times of great uncertainty, we can find a moment to pause and reflect on both pi itself and the homophonic inspiration that fills people today with talk of pies (mostly the fruity kind, but I admire a good savory variety as well). 

This is not the first time I have recognized Pi Day. A few years back I took to Twitter with this shout-out:

Dan Rather @DanRather

Happy #PiDay - a reminder that there are some ratios in nature that are reassuring in their immutability. And a moment to reflect on the wonder of the human mind to grapple with the math that surrounds us.

When I think of pi, I think in part of the power of human creativity. Yes, the ratio is one of nature, found in the elegance of circles. But that we as a species were able to figure that out, tease apart its implications, and use it to build our field of mathematics, and countless other applications, is a source of wonder. 

There are reasons why on Pi Day, all sorts of institutions celebrate it from their own vantage point.

From those who explore space....

NASA @NASA

Teachers, knead a fun assignment for #PiDay? @NASAJPL_Edu is delivering the #NASAPiDayChallenge for you to serve a slice of real-world math to your students. The problems are out now and the answer key is available March 15: go.nasa.gov/3I5SEnv

To those who build ships...

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works @GDBIW

Today is March 14, also known as #PiDay. Pi, 3.14 at its simplest, is a very important math value in shipbuilding as it is used any time the dimensions of a circular construction need to be calculated, from propeller shafts to gun turrets.

Some approach the day with a little math humor, which is always appreciated...

There is so much ugliness in our current world, so much sadness, loss, and chaos. With pi, we can also realize the power of our orbits through life, and the cosmos. It is a connection that ties the circumferences of our journeys to the diameters of our beings. We can reflect on our planet, and its imperfections, as well as its path through the heavens. We can think about our own circles of life. It turns out March 14 was both the birthday of Albert Einstein and the day Stephen Hawking died. So let us measure and take stock, calculate and dream. 

And with that, Pi Day also means dreaming of pies. There were no shortage of creative and mouth-watering pictures online:

The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize

Happy Pi day! The current date and time (March 14, 1.59pm) resembles 3.14159, the approximation of the mathematical constant Pi, or π. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. No matter how big or small the circle is - the ratio stays the same. #π

William Shatner @WilliamShatner

Happy Pi Day! Go cut yourself a big hunk of pie!

Of course, the iconoclasts of New Jersey honor a different kind of pie:

New Jersey @NJGov

happy pi day

I love all kinds of pies, but I must confess, that cherry is my favorite. 

So happy Pi/Pie Day to all of you. And while we’re at it, which is your favorite pie, or pie story, or pi story, for that matter?