Unstated Assumptions
Colin M | March 30, 2008 | 11:17 amI typed “#define PI” into the search box today to grab a nice long definition of PI for my graphics code, and found something entirely unexpected. Something, in fact, that I guarantee I have never thought before in my life. A proof that Pi (the number) exists. I think perhaps only Jason can truly appreciate the need for such a proof, but I found it quite interesting, nonetheless.
Have you ever actually proved that Pi exists, that it is a unique real number between 3 and 4 that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, for all circles? Or did you just accept your teachers’ word?
Very interesting :-)
Why this is not categorized as Nerdy, I’ll never know. However, it does remind me of a Simpson’s quote:
Professor Frink at a scientific convention: Don’t make me flick the lights on and off!
Rioting Crowd of Scientists: No response
Frink: Pi is exactly 3!
Rioting Crowd of Scientists: GAAAASSSSSPPP
Frink: I’m sorry it had to come to that.
Plus, we all know that 22/7 is close enough ;)
Craig makes an irrefutable point. This post was nerdy. Very nerdy. I have remedied my laziness and categorized it accordingly. I apologize for this momentary lapse in judgment. :-)
http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Pi-by-Throwing-Frozen-Hot-Dogs
Colin – I’m disappointed in your utter lack of creativity!