Sirfiroth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hermione wrote: From the evidence of the Rhind
> MP, it's clear that the AE were able to perform
> calculations involving the area of a circle and
> its diameter; the ratio used is 256/81. Nothing is
> said about the circumference.
>
> The circumference is 256 diameter 81. Why does it
> say nothing about circumference?

Because this ratio is an accumalative value for the process used to find the area. This was a circle with a diameter of 9 to a square with a side of 8.
They did not state, in that problem, to take the diameter of 9 and multiply by 256/81.

Once they got a square they used that square to find the area so to use that same square to find the circumference would give you a perimeter/circumference of 32.

Someone simply worked out the 256/81 value, from the area process, and it has been labelled Pi every since, unfortunately.

Regards,
Lobo-hotei
lobo


Treat the earth well, It was not given to you by your parents, It was loaned to you by your children.
Native American Proverb