It is claimed that the Bible states that π = 3, based on a passage in 1 Kings 7:23 giving measurements for a round basin as having a 10 cubit diameter and a 30 cubit circumference.
7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2006-10-27 22:09:44 · 11 answers · asked by Chris C 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
How about Christian high school students doing maths projects? If creationists can teach multiple theories for the creation of life, shouldn't they be allowed to teach multiple explanations for the theory of geometry as well?
2006-10-27 22:12:34 · update #1
There are two things in view in that passage, the casting, and the bath (sea). IT could easily be that the bath (Water) was 30 cubits in circumfrence while the casting that held it was larger, ten cubits accoss. I remember debating this back in Bible college in the 1960's and maybe we won't know the answer until eternity, but I'm betting that God did not make a mistake.
2006-10-27 22:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be that space-time was very curved right at the very spot where the sea was made. This would account for the discrepancy.
Imagine the surface of a balloon representing the curvature of space-time. If you draw a circle on the balloon, the diameter of the circle along the curved balloon surface will be longer than for the same circle drawn in a flat surface.
With the right curvature and circle size, you could have a ratio of 3:1 like the bible says.
2006-10-27 22:14:28 · answer #2 · answered by tammers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the last two words are 'round about'
round about means roughly, as 3 is roughly 3.1415927...
so I suppose it depends on your interpretation
and so it is said the basin had a diameter of 10 cubits and a circumference of 31.415927 cubits appoximately...
doesn't have the same ring to it sorry
2006-10-27 22:13:20 · answer #3 · answered by angle_of_deat_69 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A cubit is an approximate measurement.
Hoping the best for you anyway...
2006-10-28 02:59:05 · answer #4 · answered by Debra N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was passed on by oral traditions for a couple of centuries before it was written, so it was too difficult to remember the 3.1415926535897932384626433832795 = Ï
2006-10-27 23:55:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mike J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hebrews did not have a concept of decimals, so there was no way to practially explain the precise value.
Are you a math geek or something?
2006-10-28 00:36:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT DIDNT SAY ROUND ABOUT...IT SAID ROUND "ALL" ABOUT. So he meant 10 cubits.
2006-10-27 22:20:43 · answer #7 · answered by austin s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By using 3 instead, does it solve any mathematical mysteries or make things run efficiently?
If not then one should just left things as they are :).
2006-10-27 22:14:23 · answer #8 · answered by Blacknight_81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Also, they shouldn't eat sea food http://www.godhatesshrimp.com/
2006-10-27 22:47:43 · answer #9 · answered by The Yeti 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
science was not accurate back then...
2006-10-27 22:11:30 · answer #10 · answered by missy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋