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1600 BCE
Babylonian astronomers’ clay tablet had a geometrical statement explaining that pi is equal to 25/8 = 3.1250
Babylonian astronomers’ clay tablet (form of paper used in ancient times) had a geometrical statement explaining that pi is equal to 25/8 = 3.1250
This statement has the first 2 digits correct and the next number is now closer than before to the modern correct number being four. -
600 BCE
Shulba Sutras is a text found in india filled with mathematical equations like a textbook and the text explains pi or a version of pi to be (9785/5568)2 ≈ 3.088.
Shulba Sutras is a text found in india filled with mathematical equations like a textbook and the text explains pi or a version of pi to be (9785/5568)2 ≈ 3.088. This statement has only 1 value correct. -
265
Liu Hui created a polygon based algorithm to create a polygon to figure out the value of pi 3.1416.
Liu Hui (Chinese mathematician) created a polygon based algorithm in which he used to create a 3,072 sided polygon to figure out the value of pi, 3.1416. Later he decided there should be a faster way with a smaller number so by using a 96 sided polygon, Hui calculated the rounded version of pi = 3,14 which is correct as of present day. -
480
Zu Chongzhi calculated pi being around 355/133
Zu Chongzhi used Hui’s algorithm to calculate pi being around 355/133 and applying it to a 12,288 sided polygon. This got Chongzhi to the correct assumption of pi being 3,141592920 which remained the most correct for the next plus/minus 800 years. Chongzhi’s statement was correct by 7 numbers. -
1424
Jamshid Al-Kashi used a polygon to produce 14 digits of pi
Jamshid Al-Kashi (persian astronomer) used a polygon 3 x 2 (to the 28th power) sides to produce 14 digits of pi which were all correct. This number stood as a world record for 180 years. -
1500
Nilakantha Somayaji was the first person to describe pi (in writing) as an infinite series
Indian astronomer Nilakantha Somayaji was the first person to describe pi (in writing) as an infinite series. He used this statement in his “Tantrasangraha” which was his astronomical treatise. This statement is still true today. -
Adriaan van Roomen valued pi for 15 place using a polygon method
Adriaan van Roomen (flemish mathematician) valued pi for 15 places (around) also using a polygon method (which was introduced by Archimedes of Syracuse). These 15 digits are the same digits we use today. -
Ludolph van Ceulen formulated 20 digits of pi using the polygon formula.
Ludolph van Ceulen (french mathematician) formulated 20 digits of pi using the polygon formula. Van Ceulen then went on to further investigate and he achieved the next 15 digits as well in 1610. Until the early 20th century pi was called the ‘Ludolphian number’ in Germany. 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288..., - this number was even engraved on his tombstone. -
Willebrord Snellius valued pi back down to 34 numbers.
Willebrord Snellius (dutch scientist, astronomer and mathematician) valued pi back down to 34 numbers. -
Christoph Grienberger brought pi values to 38 numbers.
Christoph Grienberger is an Austrian astronomer who brought pi values to 38 numbers. Grienberger was the last person to formulate pi numbers without a calculator and the last person to use the formula of polygons to calculate pi. Using 10 to the power of 40 sides he formulated 38 values - this still remains the most accurate approximation achieved using polygonal algorithms.
