One of the most mysterious of numbers known to humankind, surely, is the number Π (read - pi).In algebra, the number reflects the value of the ratio of the circumference and its diameter.Previously, this amount was called ludolfovym number.How and where did the number Pi is not known for certain, but mathematics is divided into 3 stages of the whole history of Π, the ancient, classical and digital age of computers.
number n - is irrational, that is, it can not be represented as a simple fraction, where the numerator and denominator are integers.Therefore, such a number has no closure is periodic.For the first time proved the irrationality of P I. Lambert in 1761.
Besides property, the number of P can also be the root of a polynomial, and so is the number of the transcendental.This property, when it was proved in 1882, put an end to the dispute almost sacred mathematics "of squaring the circle", which lasted for over 2500 years.
known that first introduced the designation of the number of British Jones in 1706.Once there were the works of Euler, the use of such a designation was accepted.
to thoroughly understand what the number Pi, we must say that its use is so widespread that it is difficult even to name the area of science, which would be without it.One of the most simple and familiar even from the curriculum of values - is the designation of the geometric period.The ratio of the length of a circle to its diameter is constant and equal to 3, 14. This value was known to the ancient mathematicians in India, Greece, Babylon, Egypt.The earliest version of the calculation of the ratio refers to 1900 BC.e.More close to the modern value of P calculated Chinese scholar Liu Hui, in addition, he invented a quick and easy way of such a calculation.Its value has remained the standard for nearly 900 years.
Classic period was marked by the development of mathematics that to establish exactly what the number Pi, the scientists began to use methods of mathematical analysis.In the 1400s Indian mathematician Madhava used for the calculation of the theory of series and determine the period of P up to 11 digits after the decimal point.The first European after Archimedes, which researched the number of P and has made a significant contribution to its justification, was the Dutchman Ludolf van Zeil, which identified more than 15 decimal places, and in the will written a very amusing words: "... who are interested - and let him go on."It was in honor of the scientist, the number of P and has received the first and only in the history of a nominal title.
The era of computing has brought new details in the understanding of the nature of P. For example, to find out what is the number Pi, in 1949, was first used computer ENIAC, one of the developers of the future of which was the "father" of the theory of modern computers J. Von Neumann.The first measurement was carried out for 70 hours and gave a 2037 decimal places in the period of P. mark of one million marks was reached in 1973.In addition, during this period were established, and other formulas that reflect the number of P. So Chudnovsky brothers were able to find one that is possible to calculate 1,011,196,691 digits period.
In general, it should be noted that in order to answer the question: "What is the number Pi?", Many studies began to remind the competition.Today supercomputers are engaged in the question of what does it really pi.interesting facts associated with these studies, permeate virtually the entire history of mathematics.
Today, for example, held the world championships on the memorization of P and fixed the world record, the latter owned by the Chinese Liu Chao, a day with a small, call 67 890 characters.In the world there is even a festival of P, which is celebrated on March 14 as "Pi Day".
According to the 2011 already installed 10 trillion digits of the period.
