For many years, March 14 has been celebrated in American schools as ‘Pi Day’. This is because the date is written as 3/14, these being the first three digits of Pi (π), which is defined as the relationship between the diameter and circumference of a circle.

This year is particularly significant as this celebrated day became the ‘Ultimate Pi Day’ because the date, 3/14/15, forms the first five digits of the mathematical constant. This rare occasion, which will not return for 100 years, called for celebration with the College’s Maths Department organising a day of π themed activities.

Part of the festivities involved students and staff being photographed holding the digits of π, taking the form of a video showing over 400 decimal places of the never-ending number.

Students and staff also enjoyed π nail painting, games and a memory contest won by second year Stephen Durkin, who correctly quoted π to an impressive 115 decimal places- the world record stands at 67,890 decimal places.

Mathematics at AS Level is the most popular subject in the College, with nearly 50% of students studying a mathematics course.

The day was a brilliant celebration of mathematics for all students and staff and we hope Pi Day will become a permanent event in our College calendar.