Date:Mon, 14 Nov 2005
From:Chris Rycroft
Subject:Simple Person's Applied Math Seminar, Tuesday at 5pm in 2-135
Hi all,

This week at SPAMS, we have one of the organizers, Chris Rycroft, who 
will give a talk called "The Life of Pi", on the history of this 
famous number. The talk will be in room 2-135 at 5pm on Tuesday, and 
will be followed by Italian food in the Applied Math Common Room. We 
hope to see you then!

Chris, Pak, Kevin,
The SPAMS Organizers.


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Title: The Life of Pi

Abstract: This week, we shall pay tribute to pi, one of the most 
mysterious numbers in all mathematics. This number, describing the 
ratio of a circle's perimeter to its diameter, has fascinated 
civilization for millennia, and it occurs in almost every branch of 
mathematics. I shall present a history of the number, describing the 
different techniques used for its calculation from the Egyptians, 
through the middle ages, up to present day. I shall also discuss pi 
memorization and pi trivia, and we may even have pie.

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