I did too, but nobody knows why. The real explanation is that pi is a ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. No matter how big it is, circumference/diameter is always 3.14159 etc etc. That's the starting point from which subsequent formulas arose.

**sidathon rolls 200,501,638** This good?

thats way to low

Then the measurment would be double size too :)

Pi is the circumference of a circle (the outside line) divided by the diameter of the circle (a direct line from one end, passing through the middle, to the opposite side). Every circle has the ration of circumference to diameter the same, which is why Pi is such an important number in math. Or one of the reasons, at least.

I know that, I've taken geometry. But why 3.14159? Why not 2.8943? Or 4.2756?

Pi is basically a fraction. Let C = Circumference, D = Diameter. So Pi is C / D or C : D, depending on if you want a fraction or a ratio. The ratio of C : D will always give the same answer because, as C changes, so does D. C : D will always result in the same answer. It's the same as taking a square, and dividing the length of side A by the length of side B. You will *always* get 1. Whether the square has lengths of 100 inches or 1000 inches, it will always be the same. Now this isn't an exact number, but the generally accept rounded estimate of pi is about 22/7. Meaning a circle with a circumference of 22 will have an estimated diameter of 7. If the circle has a circumference of 44, the estimated value of the diameter would be about 14. The reason it's 3.14159... is because that is simply what it comes to. We signify it with a name and symbol because Pi is an important ratio involved in a lot of more difficult math involving circles, etc... And it reoccurs frequently.

I hope I answered your question. If not, I'm afraid I don't understand what you're asking.

This was the closest you got to answering my question: "The reason it's 3.14159... is because that is simply what it comes to."

But that was a really good explanation of it. I get that it's a ratio, but I just wonder why that number of all numbers is what it comes to. It's quite a weird number. :)

It's the same reason why an equilateral triangle has three 60 degree angles, or even the same reason as 1 + 1 = 2. It's just the answer to the question. really. Every perfect circle has the same answer for C : D, which is Pi, and that odd number just happens to be the answer to Circumference / Diameter. I'm sorry if that seems a little... underwhelming, but it is what it is.

ratio, not ration*

Because the government.

Because like most mathematics "pi" is based on the unit circle ( of dimensions r=1)

you know my every desire.. to be at a never ending lunch at luby's with these fine men.

math is a science

i am not a clever man.