An Eye for Pi by Chloe

An Eye for Pi by Chloe - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

Pi = C/d. Pi is equivalent to the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. This equation, defining pi as the irrational constant 3.14159… was presented before me in math class very early on in life, and yet it is so important that astrophysicists are still using it. Mathematicians have labored over unnecessarily calculating this never-ending number to 1 billion digits after the decimal. This is among the simplest equations that we have, and it can be used to describe the geometry of the entire world. And yet, I had never been taught to appreciate it – only to memorize it. That all changed with Mrs. Graham.

Math is a tricky subject to teach. Students so often get lost in the numbers, never stopping to ask the question “why?” This approach is fine, because after all, it will still get you A’s. Memorization, calculation, execution. I had been conditioned to shut off the outside-of-the-box thinking that I learned in my English classes as soon as I walked into math class. However, this year was different. Every so often, my teacher took time away from our Calculus lesson to take note of the brilliance behind the equations. She caught our distinct interest despite the seemingly monotonous content. And just like that, I was hooked.

Pi equals C divided by d. A circle has no distinct end point, making it an infinite shape described by an infinite number. My favorite day of class was when we examined this, opening up a world of mathematical theory that I didn’t even know existed. One thing we discussed was Georg Cantor’s “hierarchy of infinites”. He said that while there is an endless amount of numbers between, say, 1 and 2, there is an even larger endless amount of numbers between 1 and 3, and so on. I found this lesson astonishing; math, which had always been so black and white, was now making me question everything I thought I knew about numbers! Mrs. Graham had effectively stressed me out.

My fascination with number theory eventually contributed to my decision to major in physics as I enter college this year. I plan to study hard and hope to one day do great things for the science community. I also vow to never get lost in the computations. Every now and then, we must take a step back from the digits and read between the lines. If I hadn’t encountered such an articulate teacher with an eye for pi, I fear I would have never discovered this purpose of mine.