Mathematics was used to capture the illegal fishermen

BENIEL SEKA

“I used mathematics to capture the illegal fishermen in the Indian Ocean,” said the former Minister for Irrigation and Fishing who is now the Minister for Construction, Dr John Pombe Maghufuli (MP) when officiating the 6^th Pi-Day celebration in 2009. The event took place at the Tanzania Institute of Education on an open ground near the parking area. Pi-Day is celebrated on 14^th March in many countries of the world. This year’s celebration has been scheduled to take place at Mnazi Mmoja in the city of Dar es Salaam.

PI-Day is a day used to celebrate the mathematical constant pi pronounced as “Pai” to bring mathematicians and their supporters to deliberate on mathematics. Pi, represented by the Greek letter (symbol) π, is approximately equal to 3.14 when taken to two decimal places. The 3 at the left hand side is used to represent the 3^rd calendar month (March) and the number 14 represents the 14^th day of the month. Thus Pi-Day is on the 14^th of March. Thanks to the pioneer of the day, a mathematics teacher from San Fransisco, USA who suggested it in 1988. In Tanzania, the first celebration was held in Tanzania in 2004 when the curriculum Developer for Mathematics introduced at TIE.

A World Federation of Pi has been formed and mathematicians all over the world have acquired a platform for expressing their ideas directly through internet (piday@pidayinternational.org) and what have you. It was established for all who enjoy mathematics, to foster communication about mathematics and unique worldwide activities. Among the activities performed on PI-Day are: singing pi songs, discussing the application of mathematics in daily life and observing mathematics exhibitions which portray mathematics uses. At the climax of the celebration, all participants in the event sing the birthday song: HAPPY PIDAY TO YOU X 2. HAPPY PIDAY EVERYBODY. HAPPY PIDAY TO YOU.

Pi, represented by the Greek letter π, is defined as circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. It approximately equal to3.14 or 22 over seven as many people know it. The value of pi has been worked out to millions of decimal places but no pattern about its digits has been established up to now. Some people have been able to memorise pi to a certain number of decimal places.  Or instance pi is 3.141592 to six decimal places. Can you remember it? You probably need assistance, don’t you?

A mnemonic will do. Consider the statement ‘HOW I WISH I COULD CALCULATE PI’.  Count the number of digits in each word. The number obtained will be used to help you write pi to the specified number of decimal places. In this case the word ‘how’ has 3 letters; ‘I’ has 1 letter; ‘wish’ has 4 letters and so on in that order. Then you write the number of digits obtained in the same order. No doubt you see that the number formed is 3141592. You finally place the decimal point after 3 and obtain the value of pi to six decimal places as 3.141592. Create your own mnemonics to assist you remember more.

Pi has been given special priority among other mathematical constants because it has lot of applications and fun. Many objects around us have a circular shape. Many decorations and designs use circles to make them more attractive. Circular shapes involve areas, arcs (circular distances) volumes and surface areas. All these use pi in their calculation. These also have direct implication on cost. One needs to do some planning in order to minimize cost or maximize profit. In view of these things, pi has been offered a day for celebration.

On Pi-day participants take part in a charity walk chanting mathematical messages and a number of them carry placards expressing the same. Examples are: ‘mathematics is a queen science’; ‘Mathematics is a service subject in other disciplines’; and ‘Mathematics is fun’. Eventually the participants settle for a programme arranged in a particular venue. As mentioned earlier, this year’s Pi-day celebration will take place at Mnazi Mmoja. This is the first time that the event is being held outside an institution. The intention is to spread the activity so that many more people may access it. Schools and colleges outside Dar es Salaam may follow suit.

A prominent person is usually invited to address the participants. For example the 2009 celebration invited Dr John Maghufuli as guest of honour. During his address, Dr Maghufuli reiterated the importance of mathematics in industry and life in general. He cited his own example where he used mathematics to arrest the fishermen who were conducting the illegal fishing in Tanzania coastal water. This created some fun but his message was understood. Join them in this year’s encounter and subsequently promote mathematics in your country.

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