Pi Approximation Day 2023: Date, Facts, Significance, History, FAQs

Every year July 22 is observed as Pi Approximation Day. When presented in the day/month format, this day is represented as 22⁄7 which is a common approximation of pi. It is just observed as a fun day and aims to draw people’s attention towards this important mathematical constant used in many important Mathematical and Physics formulae.

Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter and it values approximately to 3.14. It is found in many formulae of geometry and trigonometry, especially those related to circles, spheres and ellipses. Branches of science like Statistics, Physics, Fourier analysis and Number Theory also have Pi in some of their important formulae.

Pi Approximation Day 2023 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for Pi Approximation Day for the next 5 years.

Pi Approximation Day 2023

Surprising Facts about Pi

Here are some interesting facts related to our beloved constant Pi:

1. The symbol of Pi was designed by mathematician Leonhard Euler and introduced by Welsh mathematician William Jones in 1706.
2. Pi Approximation Day is also observed on the 10th of November since it is the 314th day of the year.
3. Pi Day is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day format) since these are the first three digits of value of π, i.e. 3.14.
4. The decimal representation of Pi neither ends nor repeats and therefore its actual value cannot be determined.
5. Google has calculated the value of Pi up to 31.4 trillion decimal places. Although Pi value has been calculated to trillions of digits, only first few digits are more than enough to make correct calculations.
6. Famous physicist Albert Einstein was born on Pi day (3/14) and Stephen Hawking, another renowned physicist died on this very day.
7. Since Pi is used to calculate the area of circle, it can never be calculated to the exact value and will always be approximate.
8. Based on the Great Pyramid of Giza measurements, some Egyptologists claims that the ancient Egyptians used approximation of Pi in the Old Kingdom which was around 2700 to 2200 BC.
9. The original Latin phrase meaning Pi translates to “the quantity which, when the diameter is multiplied by it, yields the circumference.”
10. Rajveer Meena from Rajasthan, India holds the Guinness Record for memorizing the value of Pi for 70000 decimal points.

Pi Approximation Day 2023 Significance

The history of Pi is very old and is believed to exist as long as before the Common Era. Many important geometrical and trigonometric calculations are only possible with Pi. It plays a significant role in determining the area and volume of many important geometrical shapes.

To highlight the importance of this symbol, the Pi Approximation Day is observed every year on 22 July.

History of Pi Approximation Day Observation

The history behind the celebration of Pi Approximation Day is not known. The day was chosen to be observed on July 22 which when presented in date/month format represents the approximate value of Pi, i.e., 22/7. Pi Approximation Day is observed in almost every part of the world.

How is Pi Approximation Day celebrated?

Pi Approximation Day is observed by mathematics geniuses with great enthusiasm who celebrate the day by eating pie, having contents on eating pies, dressing up as their favorite mathematicians and much more. Schools and other educational institutions also celebrate this day with multiple events and activities to teach students about the value and significance of Pi and its application in Mathematics and Physics. Normally, there is no theme for celebration of this day, but many events are organized based on Pi related themes.

Check: Other Important days in July

FAQs