I always think of math as this rigid subject. 2+2=4, etc. Can't change that. That's why I absolutely love the term "irrational number."
What a beautiful term!
What's an irrational number? It's a number that basically goes on never-ending. It's a fraction that actually can't be written as a simple fraction because it can't be solved to the final decimal place, and there's no rational pattern to the numbers.
The best example is "π" or Pi. When we write π out or use it in math, we write it out as 3.14. However, π goes on forever--with no pattern to its numbers. It goes on: 3.1415926535897932384626433832795.... never ending. I love the old Star Trek episode where the ship's computer has been taken over by some evil force, and Mr. Spock gets the computer occupied by asking it to put all systems on the problem of solving to the last decimal place the value of Pi. The "entity" inside the computer screams "Noooooooo." It's an impossible task. People have calculated it to over 1 million decimal places, and there's no end in sight and there's no pattern to the numbers.
Even the fraction sometimes used to represent Pi, 22/7, isn't right. It comes close, but it's not identical.
Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, so the number has a basis in descriptions of the real world. And it's irrational. (again, I love that term)
So, why the thoughts on Pi? This upcoming Saturday, March 14 is "Pi Day." 3-14. Celebrations will be had throughout geekdom. The San Francisco Exploratorium will have a celebration for it. Coincidentally, it's also Albert Einstein's birthday. The SF Chronicle has an article about Pi Day celebrations here. So, this Saturday will be an "irrational day!" Celebrate well!
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