On March 14, some people celebrate a holiday they call Pi Day! If you've never heard of the special number pi, you might think it's Pie Day--and you'd also be right! This day is a phenomenal time to learn about pi, math and even a little bit about the kind of pie you eat!
What Is Pi, Anyway?
If you divide the distance around a circle by the distance straight across a circle, it will always be the same number. This special number is called pi (which sounds like the word "pie") and it helps us understand circles. Pi, or π, starts with 3.14159265... and keeps going forever without any repeating pattern! Since it starts with 3.14, the date 3/14 (March 14), was chosen to celebrate. And because pi has to do with circles, it also became a day to enjoy a sweet treat baked in a round pan: pie!
Bake Infinite Pie With X + Y: Aunt Z helps kids X and Y use real baking techniques to explore all the ways to make an infinite amount of pie--or eat pie until it's infinitely small!
Fun with Numbers
Zero! the Number That Almost Wasn't: Do you need to have a number to represent nothing? Plenty of cultures didn't, but it made math harder. Find out how the concept of zero came to be--and then how hard it was to make it from the Persian mathematician who came up with it to acceptance in Europe.
Mammoth Math (with a Little Help from Some Elephant Shrews): These mammoths know their mathematical concepts, from counting to ratios to shapes and more! Author David Macaulay uses his drawing talents to explain math, with a little help from some knowledgeable mammals.
Important Mathematicians
Friend of Numbers: The Life of Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan: Ramanujan was always fascinated by numbers. They made patterns that he could see and understand. This book helps the rest of us see how his big questions about numbers led him to become one of the most brilliant mathematicians.
Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain: No heat? French Revolution happening outside? Unable to attend math classes because she was a woman? None of it stopped Sophie Germain from learning math and then working for many years to discover a formula to predict vibration patterns.
But What About the Pie?
Finally, for those more excited about eating the sweet treat (pie) than exploring the number (pi), try The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs from America's Test Kitchen. You can put your math skills to use measuring ingredients for a delicious dessert recipe!
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