Dear William (and Daniel, Catherine, Michael & Baby Girl Y) (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),
Happy Approximation Day to you,
Today (July 22) is a special day, and to understand why, you need to put on your thinking cap.
We previously discussed binary numbers. From that, you may have gathered that Zero (0) may be a special number. The number Zero is special because:
1. Anything added to Zero equals itself; e.g., 987 + 0 = 987; also, 0 + 123 = 123
2. Anything multiplied by Zero equals Zero; e.g., 456 x 0 = 0; also, 0 x 852 = 0
You should also know that anything divided by Zero is “UNDEFINED“; i.e., 753 / 0 = Undefined!!!
OK; so let’s move on.
There are all kinds of numbers. Natural Numbers are the ones you see most often: 1, 2, 3, etc. William — there is some controversy among mathematicians as to the number Zero; some claim that Zero is a Natural Number, while others deny this!
Integer Numbers are similar to Natural Numbers; BUT, they can be negative also; and they definitely include the number Zero; e.g., … -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …
Integer Numbers are part of the Real Numbers; BUT, Real Numbers can be Rational Numbers OR Irrational Numbers!
If a Real Number is not a Rational Number, it is an Irrational Number! William — some day you will find out that in addition to Real Numbers, there are Imaginary Numbers also. Math is so fascinating!!!
The Irrational Number I want to focus on today is Pi.
Pi Pie
Pi is an Irrational Number because it cannot be expressed as a fraction.
π (sometimes written Pi) is a mathematical constant whose value is the ratio of any circle’s circumference to its diameter — NOW THAT IS COMPLICATED!!!
But; do NOT be discouraged. Pi is a BIG deal! It even has it own holiday — March 14! Why March 14 — well, because Pi is expressed as the Decimal Number approximation of 3.14… (3.14 can be interpreted as March 14).
Another way of expressing an approximation for Pi is the fraction 22/7 — some mathematicians think of this as 22 July; and because 22/7 is only an approximation of Pi, July 22 has been designated as Approximation Day!!!
So, William — every year have a party on Pi Day (March 14) and another party on Approximation Day (July 22) — all the smart people will think that you are sooo cooool! And, to be extra cool, have a pie as one of the foods served on those days.
Love,
Dziadziuś Paweł.
Back to Annual Albums OR Family Letters
