March 14 is Pi Day. Those who have some familiarity with basic arithmetic will know that pi is a mathematical constant - a ratio, in fact - whose value is approximated to 3.14. So 14/3 (or 3/14, as the Americans write it), today, is pi day. Interestingly or coincidentally, it is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, arguably the greatest genius who ever lived. The New Yorker has published, among many illuminating articles, a very humorous questionnaire on the occasion: Diagnostic Exam: Do You Have Math Anxiety? A sample question: What is a hypotenuse? (a) A very graceful hypot. (b) An overweight chanteuse. (c) The French word for profound boredom. Mathematics is often assumed to be a scary monster. Actually it can be sheer fun if we learn to exercise our logical faculty properly. Most people don't want to think - that's the simple truth. Mathematics calls for some abstract thinking also which is ass...
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