3.141592653589793238462643383279 502884197169399375105820974944 5923078164 062862089986280348253421170679…………………….
Researchers in a Swiss university have just calculated π to 62.8 trillion decimal places, setting a new record. We don’t really need this many digits – indeed, it’s been estimated that around 40 digits are sufficient for any calculations on an astronomical scale – however, the act of knowing this irrational (and transcendental) number with ever greater certainty is an inspiring challenge that has occupied human thought since ancient Egyptian times and possibly earlier, as evidenced in the Rhind papyrus of around 1650 BCE. Also, the technology used in generating this value can be utilised in other more practical areas such as fluid dynamics.
The constant π is inextricably linked with circular measure, which in turn makes it essential for calculations involving periodic processes in both the natural and constructed worlds; it is also invaluable in modelling random processes associated with probability.
See the full report on the latest developments with π in The Guardian here:
