Pi and the ancient Egyptians
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Started by: eguzman2eguzman2
On: 1227130171|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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Pi and the ancient Egyptians
eguzman2eguzman2 1227130171|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

In class we learn that for the ancient Egyptians pi was approximately 3.16. Last semester I did a research paper of geometry before Euclid and learn that we know that Egyptians used pi approximately 3.16 from a geometry problem in the Rhind Papyrus. The problem asked, "A circular field has diameter 9 Khet. What is its area?” (1 khet is 100 cubits). From the solution of this problem is determined that the Egyptians used Π = 3+1/9+1/27+1/81~ 3.1605.

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unfold Pi and the ancient Egyptians by eguzman2eguzman2, 1227130171|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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Re: Pi and the ancient Egyptians
jnelson5jnelson5 1228697885|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Well, after a little math…

(1)
\pi_{Egyptian} = 3 + \frac{1}{9} + \frac{1}{27} + \frac{1}{81} = 3 + \frac{13}{81} = \frac{3*81+13}{81} = \frac{256}{81} = \frac {(4)^4}{(3)^4} = {\Big{(} \frac{4}{3} \Big{)}}^4

…which is what we gave in class.

But yes, it does come from the Rhind Papyrus.

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unfold Re: Pi and the ancient Egyptians by jnelson5jnelson5, 1228697885|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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