Circles and Pi

Ms. Jenkins7th Grade Math

Introduction:
As we continue our unit on geometry, you are going to need to understand what
pi means. Weve learned how to determine the area of squares, rectangles, and
triangles, but there is one basic shape we havent talked about yetcircles. Rather
than me teaching you what pi is and how its used in geometry, you are going to
do some exploring on your own in groups and share what you find out with me.

Task:
Your task is to figure out what pi is and how it came to be. You will also figure out
how it is used in determining the area of a circle, how it can be applied in real life,
and what National Holiday celebrates pi. You will be put into groups of 4
(determined by me) for this assignment. Rather than splitting up tasks for this
assignment, I would like you all to work together to make sure everyone has a solid
understanding.

Process:
Follow the instructions and web links below to accomplish the task above. Any
words underlined and in blue are clickable links you will need to view in order to find
information to respond to the questions below. Although you are working in groups,
you are all responsible for completing a worksheet individually and uploading it to
Slack when you are done. Make sure you are working together, and please ask
questions if you get stuck. I will be watching to make sure everyone is participating,
and will be walking around to help answer any questions.

Day 1
Visit the Scientific American website to help you answer the questions below:
Scientific American

1. What is pi?

2. What is the symbol for pi?

3. How did pi get its name?

4. Do the experiment on this site with the circle and string. Measure the
circumference, and then the diameter. Divide the circumference by the
diameter. What is the result?
Circumference: _______ Circumference Diameter =
_______
Diameter: _______

Do the activity again with a different size circle. What is your result?
 Circumference: _______ Circumference Diameter =
_______
Diameter: _______

5. How do you use pi to find the area of a circle?

6. How old is pi?

7. When was the symbol first used?

8. How many digits does pi have?

Go to: http://www.eveandersson.com/pi/digits/, and click on the different links across

the top where it says View the Digits. Click on the 1million digit link and scroll
down to the bottom. Thats a lot of numbers right? And its not even the whole
number of pi!

Go back to http://www.eveandersson.com/pi/digits/. Where it says Search for a

string of digits, type in your birthday (mmddyy). What decimal is your birthday at?
(If you cant find your birthday in the first million digits, try the last 4 digits of your
phone number.) _______________

View this short poem by Fred Russcol: Circular Reasoning. Use it to help you
memorize the first 5 digits of pi. Practice with your group with whatever class time
is remaining today. (I will be asking students at random what the first 5 digits are,
so dont skip this part!)

Day 2
View the video clip from Person of Interest, and visit this website to see how pi is
used in real life. List 2 ways pi can be used in real life applications?

1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________

View the lessons below on circumference and area of a circle. Do the exercises at
the end of each lesson and make sure you record your answers below.

Circumference Area of a Circle

1. _______ 1. _______
2. _______ 2. _______
3. _______ 3. _______
4. _______ 4. _______
5. _______ 5. _______
Did you know there is a National Pi Day each year where people celebrate the
mathematical value of pi? Visit this site to learn more about National Pi Day.

When is National Pi Day? Why do we celebrate on this day?

How does pie (the dessert) relate to pi (the number)?

How do you want to celebrate National Pi Day?

Evaluation:
Once youve answered all questions with your group, upload the worksheet to Slack
in your private channel (so only I can see). Although you are working in a group,
you are each responsible for your own worksheet individually. If I dont receive a
worksheet from you, you will not receive a grade for this assignment.

Conclusion:
Find a picture using Google images that represents pi and post it to the class
Facebook page with the hashtag #nationalpiday (no repeats!). Check the
Facebook page first for some inspiration. The image can be representative of pi
itself, or it can be how you plan to celebrate National Pi Day, but make sure you
dont post a repeat photo. Once you have posted your photo, show it to me in
exchange for a slice of pie!

Credits:
Amazing Archimedes: http://amazingarchimedes.weebly.com/real-life-application-of-
pi.html
Eve Andersson: http://www.eveandersson.com/pi/
Harvard: http://www.math.harvard.edu/~knill/mathmovies/swf/personofinterest.html
Math Goodies: http://www.mathgoodies.com/Webquests/pi_day/
National Day Calendar:http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-pi-day-march-
14/
Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-pi-and-how-
did-it/