Happy Pi Day!! 🥧 (And how I sorta like Tau better)

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

I’ve been waiting for Pi Day ever since March started, and now that it’s here I’m excited to celebrate!

When I was younger I watched a video by ViHart (who is no longer on YouTube, but her videos are still worth checking out). She introduced me to hexaflexagons, infinities, and many other fascinating topics.

What is Tau?

Tau (τ) is defined as

[ \tau = 2\pi ]

Why Some People Prefer Tau Over Pi

Pi (π) is traditionally defined as

[ \pi = \frac{\text{circumference}}{\text{diameter}} ]

so the circumference of a circle can be written as

[ \text{circumference} = \pi \times \text{diameter} ]

Since the diameter equals (2r) (where (r) is the radius), this becomes

[ \text{circumference} = 2\pi r ]

If we use τ instead, the formula simplifies to

[ \text{circumference} = \tau r ]

This expression can be more intuitive for beginners learning about circles.

Community Perspective

Many math YouTubers, including Numberphile, discuss the advantages of τ and present arguments in its favor.

Closing

Happy Pi Day! 🎉 (And maybe a little extra appreciation for τ.)