What would things look like if PI = 3.

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter phillovix
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pi
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hypothetical scenario where the mathematical constant π equals 3 instead of its actual value of approximately 3.14. Participants explore the implications of this idea, questioning its validity and meaning within the context of mathematics and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the implications of π equaling 3 and invites others to visualize or explain the differences.
  • Another participant argues that the question is nonsensical if the laws of math and physics do not apply, suggesting that it is difficult to speculate on such a scenario.
  • A third participant reinforces the idea that the question is meaningless, comparing it to asking what the world would look like if 1=2.
  • One participant suggests that the question could be meaningful if π is considered solely as the ratio of circumference to diameter.
  • Another participant counters that in curved spaces, this ratio can vary depending on the radius and position, asserting that it is not a constant in all cases.
  • A final comment indicates that there is no value in continuing the discussion, leading to the closure of the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the meaningfulness of the question, with some asserting it is nonsensical while others propose that it could have merit under certain interpretations.

phillovix
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Hey there!

I found myself being rather curious as to what a reality would look like where PI to equal 3, instead of 3.14...

Uploaded a picture, was wondering if anyone able to get their head around it is also able to draw or explain the key differences.

Thanks!
<3
 

Attachments

  • gasevthn.jpg
    gasevthn.jpg
    10.4 KB · Views: 569
Physics news on Phys.org
phillovix said:
I found myself being rather curious as to what a reality would look like where PI to equal 3, instead of 3.14...
Well, if the laws of math and physics did not apply, it's real hard to say WHAT things would look like, but basically, I think your question doesn't make any sense.
 
The question is meaningless. It is like asking what the world would look like if 1=2 or if white was black.
 
The question becomes meaningful if you consider pi as just the circumference/diameter ratio
 
silvanp2000 said:
The question becomes meaningful if you consider pi as just the circumference/diameter ratio
No it doesn't. In curved spaces, this ratio is generally dependent on the radius and position and not a constant. In the limit of small radii, the ratio becomes pi on all smooth Riemannian manifolds.
 
There is no point in discussing this.

Thread closed.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Orodruin

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
10K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K