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This is where we displayed the results of all data we received, and showed the calculated value of Pi, using the formula:  You can see where this formula comes from on the 'Pi From Toothpicks' page. You can see how to use it, and send us your results, on the 'Calculating Pi' page. Just to get things started, I did the experiment myself, using 300 toothpick drops. Here's what happened:
We had the Worsley School grade 9 math class try the experiment. They did a lot more trials, and obtained these results:
We recalculated pi after every entry. I won't show the entries or each of the recalculations,, but I would like to acnowledge some of the contributors: Etobicoke, Ontario, Mr. Curran's classes Oak Ridge School in Oak Ridge, MO,. USA, teacher Carole Del Vecchio's gr 10 and 12 classes Dr. Chien's Grade 7 class in QingDao, at David Thompson Primary School Arne Sleire's Grade 1 class in Stavanger, Norway Mr. Wert's class in Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, TN, who were celebrating 'PI Day' Niek Brokamp's grade 4 class at Ashram College in Holland, who performed 10,000 trials! Bill Bassett's 7/8 th gr classes at Integrated Day Charter School, Norwich, Conn (15,000 trials!) Mrs. V. Srinivasan's gr 10 class in Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao Matriculation Higher S. S., Chennai, India Mrs. Taylor's grade 8 class at Siegel Middle School in Murfreesboro, TN Grade 8 at McFadden School of Excellence Mrs Raabe's gr 5-8 classes at St. Paul Lutheran Academy in Skokie, IL
We continued the experiment for months after this; the value of pi seemed to bob up and down as it approached the true value. We eventually got it to 3.11. Not especially accurate, but the fun was in the calculating! It would have taken many tens of thousands of additional trials to improve the accuracy beyond that. |