Why Does Pi Equal 180 Degrees and 2 Pi Equal 360 Degrees?

  • Thread starter Thread starter vee6
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mystery Pi
Click For Summary
Pi, approximately 3.14159, is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. In angle measurement, pi radians correspond to 180 degrees, while 2 pi radians equal 360 degrees, as there are 2 pi radius lengths in a full circumference. The radian is derived from the radius of the circle, making it a more natural unit for angular measurement compared to degrees. The relationship between pi and radians is foundational in geometry, with pi appearing in calculations involving circles and arcs. Understanding this relationship clarifies why pi is essential in circular measurements and angle conversions.
  • #31
middleCmusic said:
I think your method is fair, as it doesn't use the numerical expression for pi - rather it just uses relationships between [the ratio of a circle's circumference and diameter] and right triangles. (The former of which happens to be pi).

If OP wants a numerical expression for pi - one that generates it - perhaps an infinite series is what OP wants (although I feel from the responses that OP may be missing some of the prerequisite material, but perhaps it's just a language barrier).

How about something like this:

\pi = 4(1 - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{9})

I don't know the derivation though unfortunately.

Perhaps you meant this: \pi = 4(1 - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{9} - ...)

That ellipsis ('...') is all important.

Alternatively, you could've stated: \pi \approx 4(1 - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{9}), but the approximation is really quite mediocre with so few terms.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Curious3141 said:
Perhaps you meant this: \pi = 4(1 - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{9} - ...)

That ellipsis ('...') is all important.

Alternatively, you could've stated: \pi \approx 4(1 - \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{5} - \frac{1}{7} + \frac{1}{9}), but the approximation is really quite mediocre with so few terms.

Oops! What an embarrassing mistake on my part. Fixed my post.
 
  • #33
We have asked the OP repeatedly to clarify his ideas. He never clearly answered. And now he seems to be gone from this thread. Time to lock.
 

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 70 ·
3
Replies
70
Views
7K
Replies
8
Views
2K