Google Doodle Pi Day 2026
https://doodles.google/doodle/
Today marks National Pi Day in the United States and around the world. The holiday commemorates a timeless symbol beloved by many in mathematical and scientific communities, while making the most of the opportunities it allows for humorous wordplay, dessert and "teachable moments," as some experts have said.
The date today resembles 3.14159, the common approximation of the mathematical constant Pi, orπ.
Archimedes
Ancient Greek Mathematician, Physicist, and Inventor, Known for His Contributions to Geometry, Calculus, and Mechanics
The Doodle Pi Day 2026 celebrates the numerical constant pi (π), highlighting the foundational geometry used to calculate its limits in ancient times. Long before modern technology, the Greek mathematician Archimedes popularized an innovative approach: he approximated the value of pi by sandwiching a circle between two 96-sided polygons to determine its precise upper and lower bounds. Today, we honor this mathematical legacy as enthusiasts worldwide celebrate with pi-reciting contests and slices of pie.
Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14, since the date written numerically corresponds with the first three digits of π . (Pi Day was particularly momentous in 2015, when the numerical date corresponded with up to five digits: 3.1415.) It is also coincidentally the birthday of Albert Einstein.
Google Doodle Albert Einstein's 124th Birthday (2003)
Dividing any circle’s circumference by its diameter gives you an answer of pi, which is usually rounded to 3.14. Because pi is an irrational number, its decimal representation goes on forever and never repeats.
In 2022, mathematician Simon Plouffe discovered the formula to calculate any single digit of pi. In the same year, teams around the world used cloud computing technology to calculate pi to 100 trillion digits. But you might be surprised to learn that for space exploration, NASA uses far fewer digits of pi.
via Science Sparks
Pi is a special number — so special, in fact, that most laypeople are probably aware of it, even if only as a relic of bygone classroom lectures or geometry textbooks. Represented in abbreviated form by the somewhat familiar sequence 3.14, pi, or the Greek letter π, is an iconic symbol seen in mathematical equations and, in more recent decades, merchandise like T-shirts, sweatshirts and coffee mugs.
William Jones. mathematician
credits : Steven Wynn/ Getty Images
https://fr.wikipedia.org/
The symbol for Pi was first introduced by a Welsh mathematician called William Jones in 1706.
Anglesey-born William Jones as i told before was the first person to use the Greek letter for the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. But who was this little-known figure?
William Jones a Welsh mathematician whose pioneering work left a mark on the world of mathematics and introduced a symbol that has become synonymous with the field, π, died on this day in 1749.
He would go on to make significant contributions to mathematics, particularly in the realm of trigonometry.
He introduced the use of π (pi) as a symbol for the mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Yet, it hurts my head, too.
Leonhard Euler, mathematician
Jones' use of π as the symbol for pi was adopted by Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in the 18th century. It has since become universally recognised and is essential in various mathematical and scientific disciplines.
It is thought that he chose π either because it is first letter of the word for periphery (περιφέρεια) or because it is the first letter of the word for perimeter (περίμετρος). (Or because of both).
Palmarioriu mathesos
William Jones
Photograph: Gareth Roberts
via The Guardian
On the back of his experience, he published his first book in 1702 on the mathematics of navigation as a practical guide for sailing. On his return to Britain he began to teach mathematics in London, possibly starting by holding classes in coffee shops for a small fee. Shortly afterwards he published Synopsis palmariorum matheseos, a book written in English, despite the Latin title.
Jones' work laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of trigonometry and the principles that underpin it. His contributions revolutionised mathematical notation and paved the way for countless mathematical discoveries.
Remember ! Teaching or having fun...
"Understanding Pi is essential if you want to make calculations for circles, cylinders, spheres, and anything circular, even an ellipse. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It doesn't matter how big or small the circle is - the ratio stays the same. Properties like this that stay the same when you change other attributes are called constants."
via Google Images Archive
The ratio is beloved by math and science enthusiasts for a reason: Pi serves critical functions in many of the most basic and the most complex equations. It's necessary to calculate the area and the volume of everything circular and spherical, and it allows humans to measure the sizes of tiny things, like molecules, in a similar way it allows them to estimate the sizes of massive things, like Earth, the moon, other planets and the sun. Pi helps NASA engineers build spacecraft just as it helps scientists study newly discovered worlds. It's also fundamentally related to gravity.
Manil Suri, a mathematics and statistics professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, said pi helps people understand more about the world, the universe and how they work.
via Google Images Archives
- How to celebrate Pi Day : Some thematic activities
- Eating pie, baking pie and perhaps observing the mathematical principles of pi using a pie are some thematic activities to enjoy. Pizza pies and dessert pies are both appropriate variations.
- A play on traditional "pie contests," pi contests are common on Pi Day and often involve competitions to recite as many digits of π as possible from memory.
- But there are no right or wrong ways to celebrate Pi Day. For people around the world excited by the mathematical significance of pi and the broad potential for honorary puns related to it, there are plenty of ways to pay homage.
The same goes for educators and students, although math and science experts do generally recommend using Pi Day festivities as opportunities to make learning more fun.
G-souto
14.03.2026
copyright © 2026G-Souto'sBlog, gsouto-digitalteacher.blogspot.com
sources: NASA/ The Guardian / CBS News / Wikipedia / Google Doodles/
some images : Google Images Archive
