Pi will be on exhibit in the Science Library from March-June of 2005.  This exhibit explores Pi, the world's most mysterious number.  The value of Pi is approximately 3.14.  But what is PI?  What is the real value of PI?  How can the value be found today using the most modern technology?  How might PI be used?  

Interesting facts about Pi:

• In 1706 William Jones (1675 – 1749) published his book Synopsis palmariorum matheseos, in which he used PI to represent the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. This is believed to have been the first time that PI was used as it is today.
• It was the legendary Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler, often considered the most prolific writer in the history of mathematics, who is largely responsible for today's common use of PI.
• Now we are in the trillions of decimal places.
• Hiroyuki Goto is the current world record holder for the most digits of Pi memorized, required over nine hours to recite 42000+ digits [http://www.pi-world-ranking-list.com/lists/details/goto.htm].
• PI lovers celebrate March 14 as PI-Day.  What a coincidence that Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879.
• Check MathSciNet or Academic Search Complete for articles about Pi

This exhibit was curated by Mary Miller and Ying Shen with assistance from Lizbeth Langston. 

Books in Scotty related to Pi

Science Library Exhibits