Circumference Formula

975 Words2 Pages

Prove the Circumference Formula

Introduction:
Archimedes is credited to be the creator of the circumference formula, but more importantly to find the first theoretical calculation of Pi. Pi is an irrational number and the digits are continuous and never come to an end. Archimedes knew he had only found an approximation of pi, he found that pi is between 3 1/7 and 3 10/71. “Pi is a name given to the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. That means, for any circle, you can divide the circumference (the distance around the circle) by the diameter and always get exactly the same number. It doesn't matter how big or small the circle is, Pi remains the same. Pi is often written using the symbol  and is pronounced "pie", just like the dessert”(math.com).
The circumference formula we use to this day is:

Pi is abbreviated to 3.14 when being written, but calculators use a much more accurate version of the number.
I chose to investigate this topic because the origin of formulas interests me. Somehow these letters are created and it works under any conditions and never seems to fail. Prior to this investigation I have learned what the circumference formula is and how to apply it.

Statement of Purpose:
The main purpose of this investigation is to prove the circumference formula to be correct. Through this investigation I will use different processes of math to prove this formula correct. This will show that the formula holds true in multiple settings.
Plan of Investigation:
I will derive the formula and work it in multiple ways to prove that the formula we have used for the past centuries to be correct. I will also look at the history of pi.

Math:

The above picture shows all the parts you need to know for this ex...

... middle of paper ...

...en surpassed until 1429, when astronomer Jamshid Al-Kashi of Samarkand found  Correct to sixteen decimal places. Western mathematicians did not surpass the Tsus approximation until around 1600.

Works Cited

“Circumference of a Circle - Derivation." Derivation of the Formula for the Circumference of a Circle. Math Open Refrence, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013..
"PI." PI. Math.com, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. .
"Johann Heinrich Lambert." The world of π. N.p.. Web. 11 Nov 2013. .
"The "Jewish" or "Bible" Value of "pi"." Purplemath. Elizabeth Stapel, n.d. Web. 11 Nov 2013. http://www.purplemath.com/modules/bibleval.htm.
Howard, Eves. An Introduction to the History of Mathematcis. Fifth Edition. New York: The Saunders Series, 1983. Print.

More about Circumference Formula

Open Document