Mathematical constant (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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A '''mathematical constant''' is a special | A '''mathematical constant''' is a special number, usually a real number, that is "significantly interesting in some way". | ||
Constants arise in many areas of [[mathematics (nonfiction)|mathematics]], with constants such as e and π occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory, and calculus. | |||
What it means for a constant to arise "naturally", and what makes a constant "interesting", is ultimately a matter of taste, and some mathematical constants are notable more for historical reasons than for their intrinsic mathematical interest. | |||
The more popular constants have been studied throughout the ages and computed to many decimal places. | |||
[[File:Pi-unrolled-720.gif|The circumference of a circle with diameter 1 is π.]] | |||
== In the News == | |||
<gallery mode="traditional"> | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Fiction cross-reference == | == Fiction cross-reference == | ||
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* [[Mathematics]] | * [[Mathematics]] | ||
* [[Postminimalist detective]] | * [[Postminimalist detective]] | ||
* [[The Taking of Pelham 3.1415]] | |||
== Nonfiction cross-reference == | == Nonfiction cross-reference == | ||
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* [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]] | * [[Mathematics (nonfiction)]] | ||
External links: | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_constant Mathematical constant] @ Wikipedia | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_constant Mathematical constant] @ Wikipedia | ||
Latest revision as of 10:10, 22 June 2016
A mathematical constant is a special number, usually a real number, that is "significantly interesting in some way".
Constants arise in many areas of mathematics, with constants such as e and π occurring in such diverse contexts as geometry, number theory, and calculus.
What it means for a constant to arise "naturally", and what makes a constant "interesting", is ultimately a matter of taste, and some mathematical constants are notable more for historical reasons than for their intrinsic mathematical interest.
The more popular constants have been studied throughout the ages and computed to many decimal places.
In the News
Fiction cross-reference
- Crimes against mathematical constants
- Mathematics
- Postminimalist detective
- The Taking of Pelham 3.1415
Nonfiction cross-reference
External links:
- Mathematical constant @ Wikipedia