【英语时差8,16】美国派

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We called this program "American Pi." Why? Who can pass up a chance for a pun.  D: 3.1415926535 . . .

Y: [OVER DON'S COUNTING] Don. Don?

D: [EXASPERATED] What?

Y: What are you doing?

D: I was trying to break the record for memorizing pi. Now I'll have to start over.

Y: Memorize pi? Oh yeah, I remember that from 7th grade geometry. (BEAT) But how can you memorize pi? We usually abbreviate¹ it as 3.14, but the numbers just keep going after the decimal point.

D: I'm trying to memorize as many numbers as I can. The record is 42,000 decimal places.

Y: Wow. You're really going to try to memorize that much? Why? What is pi, anyway.

D: It's only one of the most fascinating numbers in the history of mathematics. It sounds simple: Pi equals the circumference² of a circle divided by its diameter. No matter how large or small the circle, the ratio always equals pi.

Y: That's interesting.

D: Yes, and it has been for over 4000 years. The Babylonians were the first to approximate pi, and ever since, mathematicians³ have come up with ways of figuring it more accurately⁴. In modern times we've used supercomputers to calculate pi to billions of decimal places.

Y: That's really something. But what's all the excitement about? I mean, what is pi used for?

D: It's used to measure the length of arcs and other curves and to determine the area of sectors⁵ and other curves. It's also used to measure the volume of solids. For instance, if you're a rocket scientist trying to calculate the fuel capacity of a cylindrical⁶ fuel tank, pi's your guy.

Y: Cool.

D: Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a record to break.

Y: Good luck.

D: 3.1415 9265 3589 7932 3846 . . .  

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