# Video: The Aperiodical’s π approximation challenge

As part of our massive π day celebrations, The Aperiodical has challenged me with the task of assembling a group of mathematicians, some bits of cardboard and string, and a video camera, and attempting to determine the exact value of π, for your entertainment.

The challenge, which was to be completed without a calculator, involved using known mathematical formulae for π and its occurrence in the equations of certain physical systems. In the video below, seven different methods are used – some more effective than others…

If you reckon you too can ineptly compute a value in the region of π (in particular, if you can get a more accurate approximation than the date of π day itself, which gives 3.1415), feel free to join in the challenge and see how close you get.

• #### Katie Steckles

Publicly engaging mathematician, Manchester MathsJam organiser, hairdo.

### 7 Responses to “Video: The Aperiodical’s π approximation challenge”

1. Steve Bell

Spot the (deliberate?) mistake. The probability of Buffon’s needle crossing the line is 2/pi, not pi/2. Pi/2 > 1, so that can’t be right :) Was Sam really working with pi/2 initially, or was this just a mistake in the presentation?

2. Phil

For a mathematician you are not very good !
Pi = 3.141592 or 3.1416 after correcting to 4 decimal places.

You are one year too early !!!!!!!!!!

• Christian Perfect

For an internet commenter you are quite annoying!

Among many other reasons this year’s a good reason to have ultimate π day, next year won’t have a really accurate π moment at 9:26:53, like this year did.

Of all the $\pi$ day activities posted, this is the best I have seen: