International Mathematics Day
Mathematics Unites
Mathematics is everywhere and is critical to making informed and effective decisions.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO
March 14 (3/14) is all about mathematics. It is Pi Day; the approximate value of the mathematical constant Pi is approximately 3.14. it is also the International Day of Mathematics. Pi Day is celebrated on the 14th day of the 3rd month of the calendar year. When it is written in a month-day format, it is written as 3/14, which constitutes Pi’s first three important digits. Lawry Shaw first organised Pi Day in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium. To celebrate the event lot of fruit pies are eaten. Pi is basically used to find out the area and circumference of the circle. Pi is an infinitely long, irrational number, and its exact value cannot be known. Egyptian mythology has a mention of Pi. The value of the Pi was first calculated by Archimedes. The Pi symbol π (in 1706) was attributed to William Jones, a Welsh mathematician. Euler popularised the usage of the symbol. In 2017, there was a record-breaking event, where the value of Pi was determined till 22 trillion decimal places. The world celebrated “Super Pi Day” on March 14, 2015. Since, following the trend, its date 3/14/15 coincided with the first five numbers of Pi, 3.1415.
The observance of this year’s “International Day of Mathematics” is part of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development activities. Incidentally, this day has connected to two of the most celebrated scientists of the 20th century. In 1879, Albert Einstein was born, and the world lost Stephen Hawking in 2018.
India had a rich tradition of mathematical brilliance. Panini, Pingala, Sulba Sutras (appendices of Vedas), Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and so many. In more recent times, the contributions of Satyendra Nath Bose, CR Rao, PC Mahalanobis. Srinivasa Ramanujan was undoubtedly among the world’s greatest mathematicians in the 20th century. The east carried the baton of mathematics, particularly China, India, and the medieval Islamic empire, before the focus of mathematical innovation moved back to Europe in the late Middle Ages.
Mathematics is the common language of the planet, whichever way it is written. Philosophically life oscillates between Shunya to Anantha (zero to infinity). Sound mathematical knowledge is essential to progress in all domains of learning. Simplification is valid in mathematics, but it teaches us to simplify the complexities of life. Learn mathematics in the best way.
Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.
Shakuntala Devi
Toons: Anusha and Reema Jaiswal
Logs: Sai Baba
ToonLogs posted on the international mathematics day earlier can be accessed at:
March 14: *3.14* is observed as International Mathematics Day or *π Day* — is very apt choice of the day!
*π*- an approximate representation as (22/7) shows immense love for decimals! Unfortunately, it is branded as ‘irrational’! *3.14* is termed rational and *π* as Irrational! What an unavoidable paradox?
Another curious fact being..the most rational mind of our times…Albert Einstein was born on 3.14!!
I am hopeful people will not only observe and remember 2.14 but also 3.14!!