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An elementary method of calculating π

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2016

C. W. Puritz
C. W. Puritz*
Affiliation:
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP13 6QT
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Extract

Boys who have learned to find π using jam jars and string are often mystified to learn that the number has been calculated to thousands of decimal places: the infinite series and products usually quoted cannot be justified without analysis.

This article is about a method whose derivation involves only elementary algebra and trigonometry (including square roots and Pythagoras), and whose use is a feasible proposition even when only four-figure tables are available for the square roots.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 58 , Issue 404 , June 1974 , pp. 102 - 108
Copyright
Copyright © Mathematical Association 1974

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References

Page no 103 note † The first draft of this article was based on the use of (B), with (A) receiving only a passing mention. I am indebted to Dr. Howlett of the Atlas Computer Laboratory for pointing out the considerable advantage of using (A).