When I asked students to use the value of “pi” by approximation equals three, most of them cheer up because they can calculate numbers easier than using 3.14. Then also, suddenly, I became the nicest maths teacher to them because I “understand” their position in doing maths calculation 😉 *it’s so true that I am a nice person :D*
Do you believe that God chose to create the universe according to very beautiful Mathematics? at least Paul Dirac did.
Do you believe that Mathematics is the language with which God was written the universe? at least Galileo did.
Do you believe that A circle may be small, yet it may be as mathematically beautiful and perfect as a large one? at least Isaac Disraeli did.
If you believe in Jesus Christ, you should better believe that God really use mathematics eventhough man had not known what is mathematics itself.
In old testament, there are verses describing mathematics. One describes the basic shape circle and how they used “pi” in calculation.
In New International Version bible, 1 Kings 7:23 says:
He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.
In Indonesian translation:
Kemudian dibuatnyalah “laut” tuangan yang sepuluh hasta dari tepi ke tepi, bundar keliling, lima hasta tingginya, dan yang dapat dililit berkeliling oleh tali yang tiga puluh hasta panjangnya.
By imagining that the water reservoirs in the form of a tube (cylinder), has been measured 10 cubits (units that was used) from rim to rim represents the longest distance between two points lie on the circumference (known as “diameter”), and 30 cubits around (means the circumference itself).
Let’s do a simple mathematics calculation:
Known: d = 10 cubits, C = 30 cubits
Wanted: ratio between C and d
Answer: C : d = 30 : 10 = 3
Since “3” is a constant from ratio between C and d, we have known that the constant determined by the value of “pi”.
That is (one) story of “pi”, my students can put the value of Pi as 3 instead of 3.14 if they are asked to do that 🙂
Resources:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+7%3A23&version=NIV
http://www.abarim-publications.com/Bible_Commentary/Pi_In_The_Bible.html
http://www3.telus.net/public/kstam/en/temple/study/sea.htm?study=on
http://thesentone.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/1-kings-7-the-house-of-the-lord-pt-2/
Enjoy Learning!
Note:
Mathematical reasoning through spiritual text description, certainly will not fullfill proper scientific standard, but it still may add a new interesting light on the concept of Pi.
Interesting. Even though 3.14159265359 is much more accurate but to make it easier for the students pi equals to 3 is quite OK. At least they can use it to do a quick check if their calculations are close. Also, it is also biblical. Haha. God bless you bu.
Thanks for visiting my web. Yup, it’s biblical 😀