Pi Day: Celebrate 3.1415926535...

Wednesday is a special day for math enthusiasts. It's March 14, or 3/14, also known as "Pi Day."

It's a day to celebrate the mathematical constant representing the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, the symbol of which is the Greek letter pi, written as "π." William Jones first used the symbol pi to represent this ratio, which is constant for all circles. The symbol was later popularized by Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737, according to the Pi Day website.

Pi Day, officially recognized by the United States House of Representatives in 2009, not only celebrates pi, but is also a day during which schools and educators are encouraged to promote the study of mathematics.

So, what's a math fan to do on Pi Day?

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers this suggestion for celebrating the math holiday: Why not plan a pi recitation contest followed by a pie eating contest? Make your pies square instead of round.

While the mathematical constant is certainly reason enough to rejoice, science and math enthusiasts have another reason to celebrate March 14—it's Albert Einstein's birthday. The renowned physicist was born on March 14, 1879. 

If you failed to mark Pi Day on your calendar and did not make any holiday plans, don't worry. You can still celebrate by sending a Pi Day e-card to all your math-minded pals through the Pi Day website.

Happy Pi Day!

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