Celebrating Pi day

Jayaram Seela

“Where there is a circle, there is pi”. Pi is the most popular and frequently used mathematical constant in different fields such as mathematics, engineering, and in physics. Though defined as the ratio between the circumference and diameter of a circle, it is not a rational number. It is neither a recurring decimal with the digits after the decimal point extending to more than a quadrillion.

pi-day-celebrations Decimal expansion of pi goes like 3.14159265…… So by taking 3 as the third month of the year ie., March and 14 as the date, 14th March of every year is celebrated as Pi – Day in commemoration to the great number. The most frequently used approximation for pi is 22/7, so 22nd of July is celebrated as Pi approximation day.

In connection with Pi Day, we conducted three competitions related to mathematics and Pi at our school, GPR ZPP High School, Bommuru, Rajamahendravaram Rural Mandal, East Godavari District.

The first one was a mathematics quiz from the children’s class syllabus, ie from class 6 to 10. The second one was a drawing competition in which the children had to draw any picture of their choice but using only geometrical shapes like triangles, rectangles, squares, rhombus, circle and hemisphere. The third was a competition of reciting the digits in the decimal expansion of pi.

Though 90 per cent of the school children are from BPL families, they are not short of talent. The pictures they drew were really amazing. It was very difficult for the judges to select the winners from the drawings.

pics A mathematics exhibition was also conducted with the concepts drawn from the text books as well as from outside the text book. The exhibition was inaugurated by the chief guest, Deputy Educational Officer, Rajamahendravaram Mr. S. Abraham. The main motive of the exhibition was to remove the fear of mathematics that exists in the young minds. The prize distribution ceremony was also conducted on the same day. Winners were given mementos in the shape of Pi and appreciation certificates.

The meeting was presided over by our Head Master, Mr. Y. Nageswara Rao. Other teachers who lent support include Mr. S.R.K. Ravikumar and Mr. C.P. Vijaya Kumar.

The author is a mathematics teacher at GPR, Zilla Praja Parishad High School, Bommuru village, Rajahmundry rural mandal of East Godavari District. He can be reached at jaitwinki@gmail.com.

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