Thursday, May 30, 2013

David Mazza: The Transcendentality of Pi



By definition, the number 
pi is the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. This ratio is the same for all circles.

pi is an irrational number. It cannot be represented as the ratio of two integers, regardless of the choice of integers. Equivalently, it cannot be represented as an unending, periodic decimal.

pi is also a transcendental number. It is not a root of any algebraic equation of the form

a0 + a1x + a2x2 + … + anxn = 0


where the ai are all rational numbers and n is finite. For comparison, square root of two is also an irrational number. But square root of two is not 
transcendental since it is a root of the equation 

x2 - 2 = 0 


Both pi and square root of two are irrational, but only pi is transcendental. What makes the difference? One important argument is that a line of length square root of two can beconstructed using classical techniques (i.e., using compass and straight-edge in a finite number of steps). But, because of the way pi is defined, a line of length pi cannot be so constructed. (A curve can. Mark off a unit segment. Bisect the segment. Using the midpoint as center, scribe the appropriate circle. The circle has length pi.)

To illustrate, let us first consider square root of two. To make a construction that produces a line of this length, we begin with two unit-length segments placed end to end so that one segment is at right angles with the other. We then, connect the free ends to complete a right triangle. The new line has length square root of two

Now, consider pi. A circle of unit diameter has its circumference = pi. Draw a unit circle, and locate its center. From the center produce a set of n radial lines each separated from its neighbor by an angle 2pi/n.

Circle described by above paragraph.

                   Approximation for n = 9




Line of length 9 (AB) graphic



 Isoseles Triangle created by points A,B, and C.  R=1/2.
 Isoseles Triangle



Now, connect the ends with straight line segments to form a set of isosceles triangles. The sum of the lengths of these straight-line segments approaches the circumference of the circle as n approaches infinity (see figure for n = 9).
To construct a line of length pi, we have but to produce the length AB n times along any line. In the figure, n = 9, AB is a typical straight line segment completing an isosceles triangle, and Circumference approximately 9(AB) (see figure).
Now, let us use some algebra to calculate the length AB in the general case. We begin by redrawing part of our previous picture.
One isosceles triangle (deltaABC with one vertex at the center C and two more vertices on the circle at A and B) is selected (see figure). The angle subtended at C is 2pi/n. We wish to calculate the length AB, and then to estimate how good an approximation the value n(AB) is to the actual circumference of the circle.

The line CM bisects the angle 2pi/n, and meets the line AB at right angles. Thus, the triangle CMA is a right triangle, and the length AM = ½(AB).

AM/(Radius) = AM/(½) = sin (pi/n)

three dots (therefore) AM = ½ sin (pi/n)

& AB = sin (pi/n).


Finally, n(AB) = n sin (pi/n).


Since the actual circumference of the circle is pi, we now write

n(AB) = {pin sin (pi/n)}/pi

pi {(sin (pi/n))/(pi/n)}

pi {(sin (omega))/(omega)}

where thetapi/n.

The value n(AB) differs from pi by the multiplicative factor (sin (theta))/(theta), with theta = pi/n. 


Notice that, in the limit as n arrow infinitytheta arrow 0 and (sin (theta))/(thetaarrow1. The value n(AB) does indeed approach pi in the limit

But, while the limitexists, the actual function f(theta) = (sin (theta))/(theta) does not exist at theta = 0. It becomes the indeterminate form 0/0. 

Thus, although n(AB) may approach the actual circumference to any arbitrary precision we might desire, the actual value n(AB) = pi can never be obtained from any construction of the type outlined above.


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http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/Numbers/Math/Mathematical_Thinking/transcendentality_of_p.htm

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