Pctspk Error 1063

The value of pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, was known approximately by the Ancient Egyptians. They apparently used a value of 256/81.

By the year 480, the Chinese Mathematician Zu Chongzhi discovered the approximation 355/113, which is accurate to 6 decimal places. Pi has had a rich history during which it has been calculated to ever increasing precision. It is now known to over 1 trillion digits, thanks to the power of modern computers. 2.7 trillion digits of pi were reached in January 2010.

A new formula for pi has enabled it to be calculated to much higher precision, perhaps as much as several quadrillion (10^15) digits.