The quest to understand pi has captivated mathematicians for millennia. But who was the first to calculate this intriguing constant? The realization that the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter consistently yields a value slightly greater than 3 is a milestone in mathematical history. Although the exact identity of this early mathematician remains a mystery, historical evidence suggests this discovery dates back approximately 4,000 years.
One of the earliest references to pi can be traced to the ancient Egyptians. A mathematical document, believed to be a textbook, dated around 1550 BC, provides calculations and examples that shed light on their understanding of this fundamental ratio.
