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365DaysOfPhilosophy 73 - Pi Day While Making Impossible Pie
Note: during this episode, I’m making a pie in the background.
I’m taking a side-step on today’s show to give you my favourite pie recipe — as I talk a little about pi.
Today, Day 73, is Pi Day (and by coincidence, Albert Einstein’s birthday). Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter and because it’s not equal to the ratio of any two numbers, the approximation of 22/7 is used — it’s an irrational number that never ends, leading to some memory-enthusiasts to learn as many digits as they can and recite them.
Ancient constructions and architecture would have used this number in creating buildings and measuring, and there was an unfortunate time in Indiana, USA, where bill #246 of the 1897 sitting of the Indiana General Assembly attempted to ‘square the circle’. Indiana physician and amateur mathematician Edward J. Goodwins thought that there should be a law about squaring the circle using only compass and straightedge constructions, which would challenge the necessity of using pi. The bill never became law.
As for my own favourite pi, while I’ve only memorised seven decimal places, I can suggest an ‘impossible pie’ to make on the day.
Here’s the recipe of the pie I’ve been making in the background of the recording of this episode!
Throw everything together and blend it. Pour the result into a floured and greased pan and bake for around 45min at 180 degrees C / 325F.
Due to relative density of the ingredients, much like a layered cocktail, you’ll end up with a dessert featuring a solid base, custard within and a coconut topping.
Further Resources
Philosophy Now — Pi and the Movie Mind
We are in digits of pi and live forever
US judge rules you cannot copyright pi
Did a state legislature once pass a law saying pi equals 3?
View all episodes
Note: during this episode, I’m making a pie in the background.
I’m taking a side-step on today’s show to give you my favourite pie recipe — as I talk a little about pi.
Today, Day 73, is Pi Day (and by coincidence, Albert Einstein’s birthday). Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter and because it’s not equal to the ratio of any two numbers, the approximation of 22/7 is used — it’s an irrational number that never ends, leading to some memory-enthusiasts to learn as many digits as they can and recite them.
Ancient constructions and architecture would have used this number in creating buildings and measuring, and there was an unfortunate time in Indiana, USA, where bill #246 of the 1897 sitting of the Indiana General Assembly attempted to ‘square the circle’. Indiana physician and amateur mathematician Edward J. Goodwins thought that there should be a law about squaring the circle using only compass and straightedge constructions, which would challenge the necessity of using pi. The bill never became law.
As for my own favourite pi, while I’ve only memorised seven decimal places, I can suggest an ‘impossible pie’ to make on the day.
Here’s the recipe of the pie I’ve been making in the background of the recording of this episode!
Throw everything together and blend it. Pour the result into a floured and greased pan and bake for around 45min at 180 degrees C / 325F.
Due to relative density of the ingredients, much like a layered cocktail, you’ll end up with a dessert featuring a solid base, custard within and a coconut topping.
Further Resources
Philosophy Now — Pi and the Movie Mind
We are in digits of pi and live forever
US judge rules you cannot copyright pi
Did a state legislature once pass a law saying pi equals 3?