Pi Day Activity 1: Discovering Pi
At this point in your mathematical careers, you all know that the number pi is 3.14.
But where the heck did that come from?
1. Pick 6 circular objects somewhere around the classroom
2. Measure the circumference and the diameter to the nearest cm each of the
6 objects
3. Create a ratio of the circumference to the diameter in the form of a
fraction
4. Change the fraction into decimal form.
5. Record all of your calculations in the table below:
Object
Circumference
Diameter
Circumference
Diameter
Circumference
Divided by Diameter
6. Find the average of the last column: _________________
7. How close is you average to 3.14?
8. Pi is approximately 3.14159. Explain in your own words how the value for pi is
found.
Pi Day Activity 2: Pi Graph
1. Use your 6 circular objects from Activity 1.
2. Plot the circumference and the diameter of each object on this graph:
3. Connect your points by drawing a line.
4. Pick two points, and find the slope of your line (show your work!!).
5. What do you notice about the slope of your line?
Pi Day Activity 3: Internet Scavenger Hunt
Materials: laptops and pencils
Your will be researching answers to questions about π. Suggested resources include the
following websites, but you are free to use other resources as well!
www.piday.org
http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/history_of_pi/index.html
1) When did the Greek symbol π (pi) start being used to represent the ratio of a
circle’s circumference to its diameter, and what mathematician made its use
popular?
2) Who was the first mathematician to calculate π, and when did he live? (Until
that time, π had been approximated.)
3) What is the fractional approximation of π?
4) Pi is an irrational number. What does that mean?
5) How far (to how many decimal points) has π been calculated (so far)?
6) Who has a birthday on Pi Day?
Pi Day Activity 4: What’s Your Guess??
Part 1 ~ Circumference
1. Guess the circumference of the cardboard circle (in
centimeters).
a. NO MEASURING!!! (If you measure anything, you are
disqualified)
2. Put your name and your guess on a piece of scratch paper
and place it into the drawing.
3. Whoever’s guess is the closest is the winner!
4. The winner wins a $3 gift card to TCBY!
Part 1 ~ Surface Area
5. Guess the surface area of the cardboard circle (in
centimeters).
a. NO MEASURING!!! (If you measure anything, you are
disqualified)
6. Put your name and your guess on a piece of scratch paper
and place it into the drawing.
7. Whoever’s guess is the closest is the winner!
8. The winner wins a $3 gift card to TCBY!
Pi Day Activity 5: Color Me Pi
Decorate this Pi However You’d Like!