Here’s a helpful tip for Pi Day: On a Windows computer, you can enter the symbol for Ï€ by holding down the ALT key, typing 227 using the numeric keypad,1The number keys at the top of the keyboard do not work for this. If you have a laptop computer, you’ll need to enable the embedded numeric keypad before trying this. and then releasing the ALT key.
The mildly geeky amongst us will remember this by noting 22/7 is a common approximation for pi. The geekier will avoid using this approximation and instead remember enough significant digits2I find 3.1415926 is adequate significant digits for all my purposes. Or better yet, just use the “pi” button on the calculator. of pi.
- 1The number keys at the top of the keyboard do not work for this. If you have a laptop computer, you’ll need to enable the embedded numeric keypad before trying this.
- 2I find 3.1415926 is adequate significant digits for all my purposes. Or better yet, just use the “pi” button on the calculator.