Happy Pi Day

Today is March 14. Now if you follow my blogs you must know that I am a former mathematics teacher so it will not surprise you for me to tie this date into a math formula. You see, the date 3/14 could be written as 3.14. Now if you are mathematically inclined you will recognize this as pi (π). So, happy “pi” day.

Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle and its diameter. If you divide the circumference or perimeter of a circle by the diameter you will get pi. It is really neat because it doesn’t matter the size of the circle, the ratio is always the same. It is always pi.

Pi is what is known as an irrational number, that is, it is a number that cannot be expressed as the ratio of 2 integers. If you divide the 2 integers the result is a decimal number that keeps on going indefinitely the digits never repeating themselves. With Pi sometimes the fraction 22/7 is used but that is not an exact figure.

With pi there are computers that have calculated the number to trillions of decimal places. For most practical purposes it can be calculated using 3.14 but do realize that is not an exact number, i.e. a rational number.

Irrational numbers are numbers that are distinguished from rational numbers. Can’t the same thing be said about people? How about irrational people? Aren’t they distinguishable from rational people? Do you know anyone that you would characterize as irrational?

I have said in the past that you cannot reason with an unreasonable person. You cannot rationalize with someone who is irrational. So why do we try? Sometimes it is just best to choose your battles.

Realizing this helps one to see the wisdom of Proverbs 22:24-25, “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.”

Sometimes it is just best to remove yourself from the presence and even friendship of one who is deemed irrational. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.”

Choose your friends and associates carefully. They will have an effect on you. And though we may all have our moments of irrationality from time to time, I hope you are generally a rational person.

And if you are a rational person, then I hope you have a blessed “π” day. If you are an irrational person you probably don’t see the humor in my post today. Have a good day anyway!

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