Pi Pie
Pi Day
Mar 14
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Pi makes it round, but pie makes it deliciously profound."
Pi Day is a delightful blend of mathematics and culinary traditions, celebrated each year on March 14th (3/14), which mirrors the first three digits of π (pi), 3.14. Pi, an infinite and non-repeating number, serves as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, a constant that has intrigued scholars for centuries. Just like a perfect pie crust encircles the delicious filling, pi wraps around every circle, connecting the mathematical world with the art of baking. If you are dancing in the right circles tonight, this might be a good evening to bring a sweet or savory pie to share for Pi(e) Day. This lovely strathspey of John Drewry ends with a circular grand chain which puts one in mind of a beautifully latticed pie crust! Yum! π 🥧 🥧 🥧 π
Dancing in the Right Circles
Many are familiar with the mathematical celebration of "Pi" or "Pie" Day to recognize the fundamental transcendental number pi, beginning 3.14159 ... representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, via today's date using the month/day notation of 3.14 or March 14th.
However, the number pi has a challenger, tau!
A few mathematicians argue as to whether to use pi, which is the ratio between a circle's circumference and its diameter, or tau, which is the ratio between a circle's circumference and its radius. They propose that pi is a confusing and unnatural choice for the circle constant. This analysis is detailed in The Tau Manifesto by Michael Hartl.
Some tau devotees are even pushing for Tau Time or Tau Day, 6/28, June 28th, for the number 6.283185…, and refuse to recognize Pi Day in all its glory, scornfully calling it Half-Tau Day. For a spirited debate, grab yourself a piece of pie and click here.
To learn all about the reasonings behind the "Pi is wrong" position through the Tau Manifesto, click here. And if you're a traditionalist, click the spiral pie for some clever ways to celebrate pi in pie.
And If you want to hedge your bets, you can always opt for some pi/pie today at tau time, 6:28 A.M. or P.M..
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
