MCSS held their 12th Pi-athlon in celebration of Pi Day
On Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, the department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics (MCSS) held their 12th Pi-athlon in celebration of Pi Day. Pi Day is March 14th due to Pi (rounded to two decimals) being 3.14. It is not uncommon for mathematics departments to celebrate Pi Day, but SLU’s MCSS is the only university in the world to host a pi-athlon.
Started in 2010 by Professor Daniel M. Look, the pi-athlon is a celebration based on the notion of bi-and triathlons. In a biathlon contestants compete in 2 events; in a triathlon contestants compete in 3 events. Naturally, in a pi-athlon contestants compete in pi events. This means that completing a pi-athlon is similar to completing in 3 events and roughly 14% of a fourth (similar to walking off the track a little over 14 meters into the 100-meter dash).
For the pi-athlon students can choose from various events including Sudoku, mathematically themed video games, puzzle making, etc. The challenge is to figure out how to hit 3.14 complete events, at which time students have successfully completed the pi-athlon. At that time, they are entered in a drawing for prizes. Along with the pi-athlon, the celebration also included a circle drawing contest (judged by faculty “experts” on both accuracy of the circle and a flair/performance aspect) and a pi-recitation contest.
This year, over 80 students participated and prizes went to the following teams and individuals:
Key Lime Pi:
Eliza Brown ’24 (Mathematics)
Jackson Howes ’24 (Mathematics)
Pretty Patties:
Silvia Escobar ’26 (Art)
Katie Hallet ’26 (Mathematics and Computer Science)
Maya McKeever Environmental Studies/Sociology Combined)
Darlenne Cazarin ’25 Environmental Studies/Government Combined)
Circle Drawing:
Katie Hallet ’26 (Mathematics and Computer Science)
Pi Recitation:
Courtney Kerley ’27 (Undeclared, but leaning towards Mathematics)
And, naturally, there are plenty of pies at the event and SLU President Morris stopped by to witness the circle drawing contest.
