Phifer Celebrates Pi Day
Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant, which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. March 14 was chosen as the day to celebrate Pi, since the numerical date, 3/14, represents the first three digits of Pi. The U.S. Representatives have even passed a resolution designating March 14 as National Pi Day.
This year, Pi Day, was extra special because when the date of 3/14/15 was combined with the time of 9:26:53 a.m. or p.m., it matched the first 10 digits of Pi! This is a phenomenon that will not happen again until the year 2115.
Phifer Principal Thomas Honeyman got “pied” in the face by student Madison McCall as part of the school’s celebration of Pi Day. This year, Pi Day fell on 3/14/15; when the time of day was 9:26:53 a.m. or p.m., it matched the first ten digits of Pi.
In honor of this remarkable date, Phifer Middle School math teachers celebrated with “Pi related” activities. The activities included finding the circumference and area of many circular objects and creating Pi bracelets.
In addition, the students at Phifer Middle School were challenged to memorize as many digits of Pi as possible. The student who could memorize the most digits would get to “pie” the principal, Mr. Thomas Honeyman. The third place winner was Kenny Lieur, who memorized 79 digits; the second place winner was Isaiah Norman, who memorized 110 digits; and the first place winner was Madison McCall, who memorized 115 digits!
To see the activities, hear Madison recite 115 digits of Pi or watch Mr. Honeyman get “pied” in the face, check the school’s web page at www.pennsauken.net/school/phifer.html.
