The History of Pi (π) – Approximate Past and Quantum Future
Representations of pi (π) help scientists use values that are close to the real thing without having to store a million digits. Creating a new pi required using a series, which is a structured set of terms that either converge to a single expression or diverge. In a new study, physicists use principles of quantum mechanics to build a new model of the abstract concept of π. Or, more accurately, they built a new model that happens to include a cool new representation of π. But what does this mean, and why do we need different representations of π?