Today, March 14 (or 3.14, if that helps make more sense), is π day—a celebration of the constant defined by the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, and promoted as a day for celebrating mathematics. But is π the wrong circle constant?
It was most likely on τ day, June 28 (or 6.28) in 2010 when I first encountered the idea that π is wrong. I was surprised to find that that the Tau Manifesto made a lot of sense. Adopting τ (which has the value 2π) in place of π would simplify a lot of mathematical formulae and make working in radian measure a lot more intuitive. For example, τ radians is 360°, τ/2 radians is 180°, τ/4 radians is 90°, etc. I personally find that much easier than working with π…
Radian angle measurement using π.
Radian angle measurement using τ.
(Images from the Tau Manifesto.)
