3.14, or ‘Pi’ as we call it, goes beyond our high school definition – the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Pi is as significant as the Fourth and Fifth of May (Star Wars fans will know what we’re talking about). Its cultural impact transcends beyond March 14. The beauty of Pi is that it bridges the gap between finite and infinite. Its randomness and mathematical significance are worth a celebration.
Did you know, in a competitive spirit, to find the maximum number of digits after Pi’s decimal point was recorded as 62,831,853,071,796 or, in simple terms, 62.8 trillion?! While these numbers fascinate us, we struggle when a problem is put before us. However, this Pi Day, what if we told you that we would resolve this and even give you the solutions with an explanation?
Let’s peek through some fun problems on Pi –
Problem 1
Steve and Tony are rivals in high school. They participate in a popularity contest. Steve arrives with 12-inch pizzas, while Tony comes with twenty 8-inch pizzas. Who wins if a student’s popularity is based on who gives people more pizza?
Solution:
Before solving or looking at the solution, guess who will win the popularity contest. Now, let’s look at the problem.
Steve arrives with ten 12-inch pizzas
12-inch means the diameter of the pizza is 12 inches
So, the radius is half the diameter, which means it is 6 inches
So, the area of one pizza Is Pi * r^2
i.e. Pi * 6^2 = 36 Pi
But since Steve got ten pizzas, we multiplied it by ten and got 360 Pi as the area of 10 pizzas.
Now, let’s look at Tony. Tony arrived with 20 eight-inch pizzas
The radius of the eight-inch pizza is 4 inches
So, the area will be Pi * 4^2 = 16 Pi
But wait, Tony has 20 pizzas, so we multiply the area of one pizza by 20 to get 320 Pi.
Even though Steve had ten pizzas while Tony had 20, Steve gave more pizza to people and won the contest.
Problem 2
There are two pizzas, one 8 inches and another 12 inches. You can take two slices from the 8-inch pizza. Or one piece from the 12-inch pizza. Which is a better choice if you are starving?
Solution:
As you can see, this is similar to the previous problem, but you’re debating over having a single slice instead of two. Your eyes may play with you, but let’s return to the basics.
The area of the 12-inch pizza is Pi *r^2
The radius of a 12-inch pizza is 6 inches
So, we have Pi * 6^2 = 36Pi
The radius of an 8-inch pizza is 4 inches
So, we have 16Pi as the area
But two pizza slices come to 2*16 Pi = 32Pi, less than 36 Pi.
So, if you’re starving, go for the 12-inch pizza. And don’t let those eyes fool you.
Problem 3
How many boys can get 1/3 of a pizza each if there are 9 pizzas to be shared?
Solution:
1/3 of a pizza means
1 pizza is divided among 3 students
9 pizzas are divided among 3×9=27
27 students is the answer.
We hope you had fun understanding these problems. Now, celebrate your day with a slice of Pi and Pie!
Also Read: Engage Your Mind With These Six Arithmetic Brain Teasers
