Hello Don,

There are different ways to remember a good approximation to pi. We know about the 22/7 value but this is not that accurate. Here are 3 approximations based on isopsephy:

1. The first cyclical Hellenic letter is the beta letter. It encodes pi in its shape. In modern and ancient Ionic Hellenic it (its name) is written: BHTA so it's value is:

BHTA = 2+8+300+1 = 311

You divide this by 99. How do you remember 99? Use Bethlehem that starts with a B letter:

BHThLEEM = 2+8+9+30+5+5+40 = 99


311/99 = 3.1414..

error = 0.006%

2. The second approximation uses the phrase that means "circle circumference" as "PERIPhEREIA KYKLOY":

PERIPhEREIA KYKLOY = (80+5+100+10+500+5+100+5+10+1)+(20+400+20+30+70+400) = 1756

We need to divide this by 559. You don't have to remember the 559 number. You use the 22/7 approximation to pinpoint it.

1756/559 = 3.14132379

error = 0.009%

3. The best "easy" approximation is achieved using the Holy Spirit. In Hellenic it is AGION PNEYMA:

AGION PNEYMA = (1+3+10+70+50) + (80+50+5+40+40+1) = 710

We need to divide this by 226. Once again, you don't have to remember the 226 number. You use the 22/7 approximation to pinpoint it.

710/226 = 3.14159292

error = 0.000008%


But then why not use the 355/113 ratio? The reason is that having a circle with a perimeter of 710 units leads to a diameter of an integer 226 units and a radius of an integer 113 units.


BR Spiros




Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2018 12:18PM by Spiros.