Does this amazing feat just serve to show off computing power?
2006-08-02 15:34:37 · 16 answers · asked by Suit of Flames 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
You really need to get out more.
2006-08-02 15:38:21 · answer #1 · answered by The Mick "7" 7 · 18⤊ 0⤋
The actual numbers in the decimal expansion, trillions of places from the decimal point, doesn't have much physical significance. It is primarily a means to baseline computer performance. There are also questions as to the distribution of the digits that appear ( for example, are there as many 2s as 5s? ).
It will not start repeating somewhere, and it will not end somewhere, as pi is irrational.
2006-08-02 15:44:03 · answer #2 · answered by AnyMouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have the main point there. It is a measure of computing power. But also there are some who would like to find patterns or formulas for the nth decimal - there is such a formula but it is for only the binary version of pi. pi never does actually repeat - it is an irrational number.
2006-08-02 15:41:33 · answer #3 · answered by s_h_mc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is often for show, but it is serious research, too.
Designing a computer capable of calculating pi to that many places involves program design, advanced hardware, system engineering, all stuff that is needed for a supercomputer. We don't use the digits of pi for much, but it tests the strength of a new machine.
2006-08-03 12:44:49 · answer #4 · answered by Polymath 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bragging rights and computing power. I've never come across an application for accuracy greater than 16 digits for π, myself. Maybe up to 100-digit accuracy I could conceive, but after that, it's all about the bragging rights.
The Pi-Search Page http://www.angio.net/pi/piquery is pretty cool, though.
2006-08-02 17:07:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may serve a purpose if pi is needed to such accuracy in other calculations.
Other than that, yeah, it's just about lots of computing power.
2006-08-02 15:39:43 · answer #6 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you have the basic use almost correct in you question, it can be used to test the hardware and software of the computer for errors, Intel's first Pentium chips had errors in them that showed up after release when people noticed that they got incorrect answers to certain known mathematics problems.
2006-08-02 16:00:22 · answer #7 · answered by Bill M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess you'd only need to know it to the number of significant digits you wanted your answer to have. For example, if you're using it in an equation of some sort and wanted your answer to be to a minimum of 8 significant figures, you'd have to solve pi to at least that many. After that, if you're using it in an equation there'd be no benefit to knowing it to more significant figures than the element of the equation with the least significant figures.
2006-08-02 15:39:48 · answer #8 · answered by TD311 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pi eqalls 22 over 7 so to do by hand is a good try it it takes a long time.no great deal for a computor.
2006-08-02 15:41:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, any discover will be used actual now or in the future. In the time of testing or discovering nobody could know how and what the discover will be used
2006-08-02 19:10:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a fundamental constant of a unique kind: transcendental. With transcendental fractions the number pattern does not repeat. They are analysing to try to find a pattern. I don't believe that they have.
2006-08-02 15:45:33 · answer #11 · answered by helixburger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋