Mathematical constant (nonfiction)

The circumference of a circle with diameter 1 is π.

A mathematical constant is a special number (nonfiction), usually a real number (nonfiction), that is "significantly interesting in some way".

Description

Constants arise in many areas of mathematics (nonfiction), 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.

All mathematical constants are definable numbers and usually are also computable numbers (Chaitin's constant being a significant exception).

Fiction cross-reference

• Crimes against mathematical constants
• Mathematics
• Number
• Postminimalist detective

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Aesthetics (nonfiction)
• Constant (mathematics) (nonfiction)
• Mathematical expression (nonfiction)
• Mathematical notation (nonfiction)
• Mathematics (nonfiction)
• Number (nonfiction)
• Real number (nonfiction)

External links

• Mathematical constant @ Wikipedia