For Alberto Davila Aragon from Bristol, UK this Pi day was one of the memorable days for him. The 10 year old school boy recalled how he won the Pi digits competition in his school in March 2024 which made him world record holder for most decimal places of Pi recalled in one minute. “This year, a 10-year-old memory master set a new world record for the most decimal places of Pi recalled in one minute, with an impressive 280,” the Guinness World Record said in an official statement on Pi Day on March 14.
Thanking his parents, who helped him organise the event, Alberto said,” I love school, and I’m also a great student – just a bit chatty, according to my teachers!” His parents got in touch with Bristol University in the search of a mathematician, with local sports clubs in search of experienced timekeepers and a professional witness. The event was held at Clifton Observatory. Being a singer and music lover, Alberto used rhythms and patterns to help him memorize the digits, alongside breathing patterns to optimize the speed of reciting the numbers.
What is Pi and why is it important in mathematics?
Pi (π) is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Its value is about 3.14159, but it is an irrational number, so its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating. Because Pi has an infinite number of decimal places, mathematicians are intrigued by trying to calculate and memorize its digits.
It is commonly celebrated on Pi Day (March 14, or 3/14).
Pi is also important in calculating the circumference (C = 2πr) and area (A = πr²) of circles. Pi facilitates the understanding of curved surfaces, hence its use in engineering, architecture, and physics.
Pi shows up in trigonometry, calculus, and even statistics. Pi occurs in wave motion formulas, probability distributions, and complex numbers. Pi is employed by engineers and physicists in the design of roller coasters, satellites, and electronics.
To this day, Pi is still one of the most significant and fascinating numbers in mathematics.
