Pi: The Most Famous Number in Mathematics

Pi (π) is a fundamental mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter:

π = C / d ≈ 3.14159265…

The Greek letter π is the first letter of the Greek word perimetros, meaning circumference. It was first calculated by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes of Syracuse, who was also a physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer.

Why Is Pi Important?

Pi is used extensively in mathematics, physics, engineering, and many other scientific fields to calculate the properties of circles, spheres, and other circular or spherical objects. It is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation never ends or repeats.

Watch the full video above for visual explanations and diagrams.