Discovering Pi DayMarch 14

Source: www.digitallesson.com/id28.html

Celebrating Pi Day on March 14 with pie, pi song, pi jokes and pi history.

Overview

Many students tend to memorize, without understanding, formulas that we use in geometry or other mathematic areas. This particular activity allows students to discover why pi works in solving problems dealing with finding circumference.

Lesson

Discovering Pi Day is a lesson designed to give students a hands-on experience that will help them truly grasp the concept of pi. The students measure the circumference and diameter of circles to calculate pi. 

Method

The students use string, scissor, pen and ruler to measure the circumference and diameter of three different circles/ objects. 

Method (cont)

They then calculate the ratio of the circumference to diameter, perhaps not realizing that they are really calculating pi.

Calculating PiPi = Circumference/diameter

Circle Circumference Diameter Circumference/diameter

Circle 1

Circle 2

Circle 3

Average =

Calculate the ratio of Circumference/Radius

Radius =

Pi Basics sheet.

Investigate Pi and complete the following: 1)  Is Pi a rational or irrational number?  Explain

why. 2)  What is approximate value of Pi? 3) Which approximate is more accurate for pi: 

22/7  or 3.1?  Explain why?

  4)   Who first used it and when? 5)   What Swiss mathematician was it popularized

by?

Highlights

Pi Day is a "math holiday". It occurs on March 14th, because March is the 3rd month and March 14th is 3-14. Get it? - Pi is 3.14...

Famous Scientist and Mathematician Einstein was born on March 14.

Students can memorize Pi value using date (March 14).

Pi (ӆ) is the ratio of circumference and diameter of circle.