Pi Day Presentations and Materials
TITLE: Pi... Probably
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/2020
DESCRIPTION: The number pi has traditionally been estimated by measuring circles. Quite amazingly, though, pi also appears in the probabilities of certain random events. In this interactive talk, we will estimate pi by throwing toothpicks, flipping coins, pulling random numbers out of a hat, and more. Absolutely no math background required.
TALK CANCELED DUE TO PANDEMIC
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/2020
DESCRIPTION: The number pi has traditionally been estimated by measuring circles. Quite amazingly, though, pi also appears in the probabilities of certain random events. In this interactive talk, we will estimate pi by throwing toothpicks, flipping coins, pulling random numbers out of a hat, and more. Absolutely no math background required.
TALK CANCELED DUE TO PANDEMIC
TITLE: Pi Without Circles?
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/19
DESCRIPTION: Pi is famously defined by the circle, but it amazingly shows up all over mathematics. Sometimes when it shows up the connection with circles is obvious. However, it also occurs in situations that are truly surprising (fractals, infinite sums, factorials, coin toss probabilities and more), where the connection to circles is much more mysterious. In this talk we will explore some of the most surprising occurrences of pi in mathematics and physics and touch on the more philosophical question of whether there must always be a circle ‘hiding in the background’ when we see pi show up in an equation. No math background required.
[Link to 2021 Zoom presentation to the Western Oregon University math club below]
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/19
DESCRIPTION: Pi is famously defined by the circle, but it amazingly shows up all over mathematics. Sometimes when it shows up the connection with circles is obvious. However, it also occurs in situations that are truly surprising (fractals, infinite sums, factorials, coin toss probabilities and more), where the connection to circles is much more mysterious. In this talk we will explore some of the most surprising occurrences of pi in mathematics and physics and touch on the more philosophical question of whether there must always be a circle ‘hiding in the background’ when we see pi show up in an equation. No math background required.
[Link to 2021 Zoom presentation to the Western Oregon University math club below]
piwithoutcirclesweb.pptx |
TITLE: More Pi, Please!
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/18
DESCRIPTION: Pi is one of the most famous (and important) numbers in all of mathematics. It is defined in terms of circles, but we are never told what size circle to use. How do we know that we won’t get different values of pi if we draw circles of different sizes? In the real world, it turns out that if you draw circles big enough you will get different values for pi! In this interactive presentation we will discuss the historical definition of pi, draw lots of circles where we get different values for pi, run into real trouble when we imagine circles around black holes, and then (hopefully) restore all faith in the constancy of pi. Absolutely no math background required.
NOTE: This presentation contained several interactive components. If you are a teacher or are interested in trying something similar yourself please don't hesitate to contact me and I can explain the activities in detail.
Presentation at the Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 3/14/18
DESCRIPTION: Pi is one of the most famous (and important) numbers in all of mathematics. It is defined in terms of circles, but we are never told what size circle to use. How do we know that we won’t get different values of pi if we draw circles of different sizes? In the real world, it turns out that if you draw circles big enough you will get different values for pi! In this interactive presentation we will discuss the historical definition of pi, draw lots of circles where we get different values for pi, run into real trouble when we imagine circles around black holes, and then (hopefully) restore all faith in the constancy of pi. Absolutely no math background required.
NOTE: This presentation contained several interactive components. If you are a teacher or are interested in trying something similar yourself please don't hesitate to contact me and I can explain the activities in detail.
morepipleaseweb.pptx |