Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Jim McGlothin (503) 338-2452
Enjoy a Slice of Pi at CCC
Join CCC’s Mathematics department in celebrating the circle, and
the marvelous mysteries of the mathematical constant π (pi) on “Pi
Day,” Wednesday, March 14. Pi Day will be fun for all ages, with
math games, a Pi Walk, math walks, face painting, Pi prizes and more!
Pi Day is a day to celebrate mathematics and have fun investigating mathematic
concepts, while being creative and even a little silly.
Pi is everywhere around us. It is the ratio of any circle’s circumference
to the length of its diameter. The date of the celebration mimics the
first eight digits of Pi, which are 3.1415926… thus, Pi Day is
on 3-14, begins at 1:59 p.m. and goes to 6 p.m. March 14 also happens
to be mathematician Albert Einstein’s birthday.
Pi was of practical importance before 2000 BC, although ancient civilizations
used different values. Renowned mathematician Euler standardized the
currently used symbol in 1737.
There is pi in pie. Cut a pie in half and pi is the number of times the
length of that cut will go around the outside of the pie. The pi of pie?
That would be a piece for three of us with .14159… part of a piece
left over. The captivating question of pi that has fascinated mathematicians
for centuries, sometimes to obsession, is the question of exactly how
much is left over? Supercomputers have calculated pi to over 130 million
digits without ever repeating a fixed sequence of digits.
The College honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, will be selling pies at the
event, and hosting an opportunity to throw a pie in your favorite teacher’s
face. Dr. Greg Hamann, CCC’s president, will also be taking pies
in the face. The proceeds will go toward scholarship funds.
Pi Day will be held at SEA Services in Fertig Hall room 24 on CCC’s
main campus, 1653 Jerome Avenue in Astoria. Admission is free, and children
12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information about Pi Day, please contact Jim McGlothin at
(503) 338-2452.