Questions tagged [pi]

The number $\pi$ is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Understanding its various properties and computing its numerical value drove the study of much mathematics throughout history. Questions regarding this special number and its properties fit in here.

$\pi$ is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Its definition is modern analysis is (by Karl Weierstrass) $$ \pi = \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}. $$ An alternative definition, popularised by Landau is: Define $\frac{\pi}{2}$ as the smallest positive root of the cosine function.

It can also be given by the Gregory-Leibniz series (exhibits sublinear convergence) $$ \pi = 4 \sum_{j=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^j}{2j+1}. $$ $\pi$ has the approximate numerical value $3.14159265358979323846\dots$, can be approximated by fractions, for example, $\frac{22}{7}, \frac{333}{106}, \frac{355}{113},\dots$, and is both irrational and transcendental.

It is part of Euler's famous identity:

$$e^{i\pi}+1=0.$$

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Why do some algorithms for computing pi converge faster?

The Chudnovsky algorithm based on hypergeometric series seems to appear prominently. Why are approaches based around $\arctan$ slower? Is there some intuitive, conceptual description of the "redundancy" or inefficiency in $\arctan$ based…
user782220
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Proving $\pi = 48\tan^{-1}\frac{1}{18} + 32 \tan^{-1}\frac{1}{57} - 20\tan^{-1}\frac{1}{239}$

The below equation represents $\pi$ to some decimals using tangent inverse. I need to prove that the left hand side of the equation equals the right hand side. $$ \pi = 48\tan^{-1}\frac{1}{18} + 32 \tan^{-1}\frac{1}{57} - 20\tan^{-1}\frac{1}{239} $$
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Working out digits of Pi.

I have always wondered how the digits of π are calculated. How do they do it? Thanks.
fosho
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generalized 2-terms Machin's formula (an efficient way to compute $\pi$)

Looking at Machin's formulas in this post Machin's formulas and cousins, and digging a bit, I've finally computed the next formulas, allowing to generate an infinite number of 2-terms Machins's formulas easily and that seem quite efficient to…
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Is there a difference between the calculated value of Pi and the measured value?

The mathematical value of Pi has been calculated to a ridiculous degree of precision using mathematical methods, but to what degree of precision has anyone actually measured the value of Pi (or at least the ratio of diameter to circumference), by…
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It's possible to calculate the frequency of distribution of digits of $\pi$?

It's possible using mathematical formula to calculate frequency of distribution of digits of $\pi$ or other constant? I know that there are already plenty of data available with statistics and you can extract that information, but it's actually…
kenorb
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If $\pi $ is normal, can it be used as a random number generator?

If one day we finally prove the normality of $\pi $, would we be able to say that we have ourselves a sure-fire truly random number generator?
user132181
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Why is $\pi$ so close to $3$?

$\pi\approx 3.141592654$ Why is it so close to $3$? I find this intriguing, this cannot be a coincidence.
Superbus
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Is there a method to memorizing $\pi$?

The confirmed world record for memorizing the digits of $\pi$ goes to a Chinese graduate student named Lu Chao, who claims he has memorized up to 100,000 digits (although for the record breaking attempt, only got to just shy of 68,000). Memorizing…
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Calculating custom bits of PI in hex or binary without calculating previous bits

I tried some spigot formulas to calculate custom hexadecimal PI digits. But any formula I tried definitely needed iterating and calculating sum from i=0 to N to get N-th digit. How to get N-th hex digit without calculating previous digits?
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Find the coincidence series with value $π-3.1$.

I discovered an interesting series that seems to yield rational numbers related to π: $$ \sum_{k=0}^∞\frac{m}{\Pi_{i∈I}(4k+i)}=\left|\frac{p}{q}-π\right| $$ I don't know if it's a coincidence or if the series can approximate any rational number, I…
Aster
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Deriving $\pi$ from $x^2+y^2=1$

When I was on the road today I came across one interesting puzzle. What if you meet an extraterrestrial species, and you show to them some of mathematical works. They look at $\pi$ and they clearly don't understand what it means. So they ask you,…
sanaris
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natural log of pi to sixty digits, a reference needed

I have found a table of the logs of gamma functions at basic fractions, accurate to 60 decimal digits. It omits $\ln(\Gamma(1/2)) = \ln(\pi)/2$ and I want that number. Where is a cit-able source that contains this this number to high accuracy?
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A maze about $\pi$.

I know that $\pi$ is a transcendental number, it will never repeat, every combination of numbers may occur. Since the digits appear randomly, is it possible that at the $n$th digit of $\pi$, the digits start repeating (coincidentally) to infinity?…
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Proving G.Bauer's Pi Formula

Question: How do you prove this $\pi$ formula found by G.Bauer in $1859$$$\dfrac 2\pi=1-5\left(\dfrac {1}{2}\right)^3+9\left(\dfrac {1\cdot3}{2\cdot4}\right)^3-13\left(\dfrac {1\cdot3\cdot5}{2\cdot4\cdot6}\right)^3+\&\text{c}.$$ I'm not sure what…
Frank
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