National Pi Day

Grab A Slice & Ponder the Infinite With Us. Actually, Make It Two Slices

For an irrational number, pi just makes a whole lot of sense. That’s because the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter means more than just 3.1415926 … into infinity. It’s the basis for mathematics that has fundamentally changed the way we view natural sciences and the rest of the world.

Pi has been calculated to 22 trillion digits and the number likely goes on to infinity. There’s no repeating of its digits, nor a reason to believe that it’ll ever stop. Archimedes first defined that undefinable more than 2,300 years ago, and it allowed mathematicians to calculate the volumes of spheres, cylinders, and circles much more accurately. More than that, pi and irrational numbers form the basis for modern calculus, too. And that’s literally and figuratively put our species on an innovation rocket ship in science, technology, engineering, and math ever since. The Society of Women Engineers pictured here taught us that very well.

We salute pi today and use it every day—even if we don’t know it. And we can’t think of a better salute to pi on 3/14 than with pie. Cut deeply into your favorite and make a big enough slice to consider the ratio of the diameter, circumference, and add plenty of ice cream.