Pi Pie
Pi Day
Mar 14
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"So let's have another cup of coffee ...
And let's have another piece of pi(e)."
~ Irving Berlin, 1932
Did you know there is a contingent of mathematicians who would like to knock pi (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter) off the top of the list for everyone's favorite irrational and transcendental number in favor of Tau (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its radius) ? If you favour the traditionalists, or are too shocked to do anything but eat, check out the recipes for a collection of pi pie recipes. π 🥧 π
Remaking the Circle
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..
