Pi Day | Arjun Singh tells us how BYJU’S is making Maths fun again

What tastes better, apple pie with ice cream or pi with equations? Congratulations, if your love for pi transcends your fondness for pie, for we’re celebrating Pi Day!

We know what pi (π) is: the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, and approximately equals 3.14. You might also know that it was founded in 1988 by American physicist Larry Shaw.

But did you know why March 14 is celebrated as Pi Day? It’s not Larry Shaw’s birthday; that’s on August 12. Albert Einstein’s birthday is just a coincidence. No connection with the Ides of March either. What is it then? The answer is in the question! We know that the first three significant digits of π are 3, 1, 4, so by that logic, March 14 (3, 14) is when we celebrate this important discovery. 

And to commemorate this occasion, we spoke to Arjun Singh, Senior Manager, Curriculum and Learning Experiences, to understand why pi is so special and how BYJU’S is making Math interesting and fun once again.

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Arjun Singh

Pi for all seasons

We wanted to know why pi is so important that an entire day is named after it. He said that it is probably the most special “number” in the world. “From calculating the area of a circle to electricity, we need π for everything. It is used in music, electrical engineering, medical imaging, sports, etc. Any measurement that involves circles or spheres relies on π,” Arjun tells us. 

“Without π, there would be no Trigonometry, huge parts of Calculus and Geometry would disappear, learning about waves, sound, vibrations, electricity, architecture, power transmission, volumes, areas, and so on, would become nearly impossible. Not just Mathematics, the world of Science would also fall apart, if pi didn’t exist.”

He then tells us something amusing. “As π is an approximate value, when we calculate the circumference of a circle or the volume of a cylinder, the result is also an approximation. I can imagine a student writing ‘The area of a circle can’t be calculated accurately’ in a test, and getting away with it!”

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Maths is fun at BYJU’S

Since it’s Pi Day, it’s only natural that we wanted to speak to Arjun about Maths, especially since he’s an expert on the subject. Maths evokes polarising emotions in people. They either love it or hate it. How is BYJU’S making the dreaded subject interesting, encouraging people to fall in love with it?

“At BYJU’S, we don’t treat Math like a ‘subject’. We consider it a sweet language, which has the capability to help you communicate. It is a tool to understand everything around us in a better way, not just to get marks in tests. In the last decade, there has been a paradigm shift in the way Maths is taught everywhere, and I believe that BYJU’S is responsible for starting this domino effect.

Maths is lovable. All a teacher has to do is adapt the right medium to focus on the WHY rather than the HOW: answer all the WHYs and the HOWs will follow naturally,” Arjun says, with a twinkle in his eye.

What is your relationship with pi, and Maths in general? Leave us a comment. We would love to know!

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(This story has been put together by Storyweaver, Neha Dua)