Approximating Pi to Different Digits

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In summary, it is believed that over 10 trillion digits of Pi have been accurately calculated, but for practical purposes, only a few digits are needed for accuracy. The most commonly used method for approximating Pi is the Leibniz formula, which uses a series of fractions. For most scientific calculations, 16 digits of Pi are sufficient due to the size of a hydrogen atom. Pi can also be approximated using geometry, such as inscribing a circle in a square. Ancient civilizations had various approximations of Pi, with the ancient Chinese being the most accurate with 6 decimal places in the 5th century.
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soroban
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Watch this . . .[tex]\pi \;=\;3.141592645[/tex]

. . [tex]= \;3 + 0.141592654 \;=\; 3 + \dfrac{1}{7.062573306}[/tex] . [1]

. . [tex]=\;3 + \dfrac{1}{7 + 0.062573306} \;=\; 3 + \frac{1}{7+ \dfrac{1}{15.99659441}} [/tex] .[2]

. . [tex]=\;3 + \dfrac{1}{7 + \dfrac{1}{15 + 0.99659441}} \;=\; 3 + \dfrac{1}{7 + \dfrac{1}{15 + \dfrac{1}{1.003417228}}} [/tex]

. . [[tex]=\;3 + \dfrac{1}{7 + \dfrac{1}{15 + \dfrac{1}{1 + 0.003417228}}} \;=\;3 + \dfrac{1}{7 + \dfrac{1}{15 + \dfrac{1}{1 + \dfrac{1}{292.6348491}}}} [/tex] .[3]If we stop at [1]: .[tex]\pi \;\approx\;3+\frac{1}{7} \;=\;\frac{22}{7} \;=\;3.142857...[/tex]

If we stop at [2]: .[tex]\pi\;\approx\;3 + \frac{1}{7 + \dfrac{1}{16}} \;=\;\frac{355}{113} \;=\;3.14159292...[/tex]

If we stop at [3]: .[tex]\pi \;\approx\;3 + \frac{1}{7+\dfrac{1}{15+\dfrac{1}{1 + \dfrac{1}{293}}}} \;=\;\frac{104,\!348}{33,\!215} \;=\;3.141592654...[/tex]
 
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This was part of a series of lessons I did at a Harry Potter site, so disregard the first few sentences :P

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FAQ: Approximating Pi to Different Digits

How many digits of Pi can be accurately approximated?

It is currently believed that over 10 trillion digits of Pi have been accurately calculated using various methods. However, for practical purposes, most calculations only require a few digits for accuracy.

What is the most commonly used method for approximating Pi?

The most commonly used method for approximating Pi is the Leibniz formula, also known as the Gregory-Leibniz series. This method uses a series of fractions to approach the value of Pi.

How many digits of Pi are necessary for most scientific calculations?

For most scientific calculations, 16 digits of Pi are sufficient for accuracy. This is because the diameter of a hydrogen atom, the smallest known object in the universe, can be calculated to 16 decimal places using Pi.

Can Pi be approximated using geometry?

Yes, Pi can be approximated using geometry. One method is to inscribe a circle inside a square, and then calculate the ratio of the circumference of the circle to the perimeter of the square. This ratio is an approximation of Pi.

How many digits of Pi did ancient civilizations know?

Ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks knew different approximations of Pi, ranging from 3.125 to 3.16. The ancient Chinese were able to calculate Pi to 6 decimal places in the 5th century using a geometric method.

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