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π is wrong, long live ტ

2011/06/30 23:38


Happy Pi Day (to the 36th digit)!
Originally uploaded by Mykl Roventine

π is often given an almost mythical status, so I found it very refreshing when I was made aware of the τ movement that argue that τ = 2π is a much more natural constant.

There are lots of good arguments in favour (do follow the link above), and I’m definitely a convert.

However, as Stewart Russell pointed out to me on Facebook, physicists already have other uses for τ, so perhaps a better symbol could be chosen.

I would propose the Georgian letter ტ (pronounced tari), which doesn’t seem to have any uses in maths or physics.

Filed under lang • en • science

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