In the excellent $\pi$ approximation video, Katie Steckles asked for $\pi$ approximations. I teach a first year techniques module (mostly calculus and a little complex numbers and linear algebra). This year I have changed a few bits in my module; in particular I gave some of my more numerical topics to the numerical methods module…
π and the Mysterious Excel Function
Users of Microsoft’s flagship 2D-array-based data-organisation tool Excel will be aware of some if its more recondite functions. From the occasionally useful RIGHT: returns the substring of a given length from the right-hand end of a cell’s contents to the wilfully obscure TBILLPRICE: gives “the price per $100 face value for a Treasury bill” when supplied…
Matt Parker approximates π by weighing a circle
OK Matt, what have you got?
π, Phase Space, and Bouncing Billiard Balls
There are many ways to estimate or calculate π, that number that is irrational, but well-rounded. But perhaps none is as remarkable as that outlined in a 2013 paper by G. Galperin. In this brief article we’ll have a look at the problem, and see the setting, although we’ll leave the interested reader to hunt…
π and The Simpsons
In “The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets”, I documented all the mathematical references hidden in the world’s favourite TV show. Look carefully at various episodes, you will spot everything from Fermat’s last theorem to the Riemann hypothesis, from the P v NP conjecture to Zorn’s lemma. All these references are embedded in the show, because…
Alex Bellos’s π Day blog post
For a blog, I write sentences. Of Pilish words. It’s truly difficul.
Cédric Villani’s Birth of a Theorem is Radio 4 Book of the Week
Birth of a Theorem, the autobiographical book by French mathematician and (spoiler) Fields Medallist Cédric Villani, is Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4 this week, read by non-French non-mathematician Julian Rhind-Tutt. Villani also appeared on discussion show Start the Week on Monday, talking about ‘the mathematical mind’ along with mathematician Vicky Neale; Morgan…