Pie, Math, and Fun

Our family celebrates Pi Day by eating pies and lots of them. While people think only true math lovers celebrate Pi Day, I am here to say that this is a day that can and should be celebrated by all. And here are some ways to celebrate Pi Day with Activities and some of our favorite pies.

What is Pi Day?

Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant Pi. It is observed on March 14 (3/14) since the first 3 digits of Pi are 3.14. Many people celebrate pi day by eating pi. Others have Pi memorization activities since Pi has no end.

Only countries with the date in the m/d/y (month, day. year) celebrate pi day since March 14th is 3/14.

What is Pi?

The mathematical symbol for Pi is π. This is a Greek letter π

Pi is the 16th letter of the Greek Alphabet

Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The diameter of a circle is the distance from edge to edge when you measure through the center. Think about an actual pie. If you cut it in half, that cut is the diameter.

The circumference is the distance around the outer edge of the circle. Back to the pie – the circumference is the measurement of the outer edge of the crust – a circle. Circumference C=2πr

The area (how much is inside the circle) of a circle is A=πr²

Pi is a constant number, and it is always the same no matter how big or small a circle is.

The value of pi is 3.14159 and it keeps going. It is considered an irrational number due to the fact that it continues indefinitely without repetition or pattern. It has been calculated to over 50 trillion digits beyond the decimal point.

The History of Pi and Pi Day

The most amazing thing about pi is that calculations for pi have been around since Ancient Babylon and Ancient Egypt. Archimedes was a Greek mathematician who was the first to use an algorithmic approach to calculate pi. But it wasn’t until 1647, that pi actually had a name. English mathematician, William Oughtred called it pi in a publication entitled Clavis mathematical.

But why did he call it pi? Perimetros is the Greek word that loosely translates to the circumference.

More Fun Facts About Pi: The first pi day celebration was in 1988. Physicist Larry Shaw organized the first pi day as a celebration at the San Francisco Exploratorium. On March 11, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring March 14 as National Pi Day. Since the US House of Representatives declared Pi day, it is almost like a national holiday.

Ironically, March 14, 1879, is Albert Einstein’s birthday.

Types of Pies to Eat on Pi Day

To celebrate Pi Day effectively, you will want to have a combination of sweet and savory pies. While it is easy for anyone to celebrate pie day by simply ordering a pizza pie, you will want to get much more creative with your pi day celebration.

Our family decided to have our entire Sunday dinner composed of pies. The ideas are endless, but I will share some of my favorite ones with you. Additionally, I will link to recipes for some of my favorite pies.

Fun Activities for Pi Day

Pie eating contest

Pie throwing

Recite Pi and try to memorize as much as you can

Eat delicious pie

Order pizza and watch a movie

Invite friends and have everyone bring their favorite pie to share

Read one or more of the following books:

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I do earn from qualifying purchases.

Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table

Happy Pi Day to You

It Happened One Pi Day

Pi in the Sky

Why Pi?

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World

More Pi Day Activities:

Write a Pi Day Poem

Write a poem where the first word has 3 letters, the 2nd word has 1 letter, the third word has 4 letters (3.1459265359)

Make a pi day chain – make loops with paper and place a number on each loop. If you are doing this as a group, see how long of a chain you can make.

Use a Spirograph or a compass and make lots of circles.

Graph Pi

Have circular Food all-day

Breakfast

Round Waffles – Eggos

Round Sausage

Cut Toast into circles or have English Muffins

Pancakes

Circle-shaped cereal – Cheerios, Froot Loops

Quiche

Lunch

Salami

Pepperoni

Ritz Crackers

Babybel Cheese

Orange Slices

Banana Slices

Dinner – Savory Pies First

Pizza

There are obvious ones, such as Shepherd’s Pie which is a meat and vegetable pie with mashed potatoes as the “whipped cream” on top.

Loaded Taco Pie

Pizza Pie

Lasagna Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

Quiche

Tamale Pie

Desserts

Fruit Pies – apple pie, cherry pie, blackberry pie, peach pie

I do make a great apple pie!

Key Lime Pie

Banana Cream Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Strawberry Pie

Rhubarb Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Did I forget one of your favorite pies? Leave me a message below. What other fun ways can you think to celebrate Pi Day?

Have a very happy Pi day.