More than Memorizing Digits

Writing in Slate, Joseph Mazur gives the history of Pi Day, argues the constant's ubiquity, and challenges readers to celebrate the storied ratio in a more meaningful way.

Mazur recounts what might be a low point for the American Mathematical Monthly, explains how pi connects river flow with bird flight, and notes that his grandchildren celebrate Pi Day, officially recognized by House Resolution 224, by eating pie and memorizing digits.

"With all the magic of pi, and its ubiquity in mathematics, is eating pie and memorizing digits what the 111th Congress had in mind?" Mazur asks. "Surely we can do more."

Read the essay.