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Illustration of the value of

π

The number $π$ (pi) is a mathematical constant, approximately equal to 3.14159, that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is an irrational number, meaning that it cannot be expressed exactly as a ratio of two integers, though it is sometimes approximated as ⁠22/7⁠. Its decimal representation never ends, nor does it enter a permanently repeating pattern. The digits of $π$ appear to be evenly distributed, but no proof of this conjecture has been found. It appears in many formulae in mathematics and physics, and for thousands of years mathematicians have computed its value with increasing accuracy. Since the late 20th century, mathematicians and computer scientists have extended the decimal representation of $π$ to many trillions of digits. Many equations from trigonometry and geometry rely on $π$ , especially those concerning circles and spheres. A transcendental number, $π$ is one of the most widely known mathematical constants. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Mã Pí Lèng Pass

... that it took nearly two years to cut into a cliff to complete a road across Mã Pí Lèng Pass (pictured) in Vietnam?
... that Bernhard Waldenfels discussed "black holes of everyday life" in a book subtitled Challenges of Phenomenology?
... that the actresses in Night King visited a nightclub and spoke with mama-sans to prepare for their roles?
... that Daniel van der Meulen was dispatched to Saudi Arabia to urge Arab nations not to ally with Nazi Germany?
... that the Prison Mathematics Project brought a professor from Italy to an American prison to celebrate Pi Day?
... that John F. Kennedy asked fast-food entrepreneur Harry Akin to lead the desegregation of United States restaurants?
... that the rewrites to The Massacre were so extensive that the original writer briefly asked for his name to be removed?
... that, at the first five Ball Hockey World Championships, the Czech Republic men's team reached four finals?
... that Xalavier Nelson Jr. developed games with "eye-catching" titles such as Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator and An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs?

In the news

Jasprit Bumrah

In cricket, the Men's T20 World Cup concludes with India defeating New Zealand in the final (player of the match Jasprit Bumrah pictured).
Mojtaba Khamenei is elected Supreme Leader of Iran following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei.
Flooding in Kenya leaves at least 43 people dead.
The Winter Paralympics open in northern Italy.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party and its prime ministerial candidate Balen Shah win a landslide victory in the Nepalese general election, called after the Gen Z protests.

On this day

March 14: Sikh New Year's Day; White Day in parts of East Asia; Pi Day

Catherine Cornaro

1489 – Catherine Cornaro (pictured), Queen of Cyprus, was forced to abdicate and sell the administration of the island to the Republic of Venice.
1593 – Japanese invasions of Korea: A force of 3,000 Korean soldiers successfully defended Haengju Fortress against 30,000 Japanese invaders.
1885 – The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan's most frequently performed Savoy opera, debuted at the Savoy Theatre in London.
1945 – The Royal Air Force first used the Grand Slam, a 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) earthquake bomb, on a strategic railway viaduct in Bielefeld, Germany.
1991 – Escondida, one of the most productive copper mines in the world, was officially inaugurated.

Castro Alves (b. 1847)
Diane Arbus (b. 1923)
A. A. Kannisto (d. 1930)
Charlie Whiting (d. 2019)

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Today's featured picture

Columbus is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. It had a population of 905,748 at the 2020 census, making it the 14th most populous city in the United States, and a metropolitan area population of around 2.2 million. The city is the county seat of Franklin County and also extends into Delaware and Fairfield counties. Columbus was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers and was named after Christopher Columbus. It became the state capital in 1816 and grew during the nineteenth century as a transportation and industrial hub linked by the National Road, canals and railroads. Columbus is now a center for high-tech manufacturing with plants operated by Intel, Honda and LG Energy Solution and is home to Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the country. This photograph shows Downtown Columbus and the Scioto Mile, viewed from the southwest.

Photograph credit: Paul Wasneski

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