Math fans around the world prepare for Pi day this weekend and it’s no wonder why. After all, the third month and fourteenth day of the year were chosen for a really good reason. Pi or 3.14 in math communities is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its’ diameter and according to Piday.org, “a circle is 3 times its’ width around...because pi is a “constant number,” it will always be the same for any circle of any size.” It is also represented by the Greek letter, π, sometimes written as 3.14π.
This holiday is an excellent way for students of math to spread the knowledge of Pi over a great ice-breaker, Pie. It’s this coming Saturday so be prepared with amazing baked goods like Millican's famous Pecan Pie and more. Here are some exciting facts about 3.14 and why it’s celebrated.
Celebrate National Pi Day
Pi (π) was first calculated by one of the best mathematicians of his period, Archimedes of Syracuse. However, it was not observed as a holiday until centuries later. The idea was proposed over three decades ago by the Exploratorium Museum’s physicist Larry Shaw. As an international holiday, people from the math and educational communities plan festivities with crafts, costumes and, best of all, pies.
Coincidentally, Pi Day also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday. Why not honor Einstien’s contributions to the science and math communities while simultaneously praising the incredible measurement of a circle. After all, Piday.org sums up the importance of this calculation by stating Pi is an “irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern.” So far, it has been calculated to the trillionth digit after the decimal point. If you plan on joining in the Pie festivities, join in the conversation using this brief history.
Buy pecans for sale... and chopped pecan pieces, too!
Delicious Pi Day Recipes
Pie and round baked goods have been used to spread the word about 3.14159 (π) since the holiday’s inception in 1988. Who wouldn’t enjoy a delicious slice of pecan pie while learning about math? It would certainly make memorizing a mathematical equation a little more digestible. Understanding the pieces of pie is always easier with a hands-on approach. So here is a delectable pie recipe that will have you eager to celebrate Pi Day every year.
Traditional Pecan Pie
Prepare a pie crust using your favorite recipe. Place it, unbaked, into a 9-inch round baking pan. We’re keeping it round for Pi Day!
- Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup of corn syrup (your choice of light or dark)
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup of brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups of a mix of halves and chopped Pecan Nuts
Instructions for making a Pecan Pie
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix the vanilla, corn syrup, eggs, sugars, and melted butter until smooth.
- Add the pecans and blend it well.
- Pour the mix into the pie crust.
- Place it in the center rack of your oven and bake it for 60 to 75 minutes. Let it stand on a cooling rack for at least 90 minutes before you serve everyone a tasty slice. To add a fun twist, don’t forget to top off your piece of pecan pie with a scoop of buttered pecan ice cream!
