Every March 14th, math enthusiasts around the world celebrate Pi Day, honoring the mathematical constant π (pi), which begins with the digits 3.14159. First founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, Pi Day was cleverly chosen to align both with the numerical date (3/14) and Albert Einstein’s birthday. Since then, it has evolved into a global occasion—featuring everything from math talks to pie-eating contests—to spark curiosity and appreciation for mathematics.

This year marks a special milestone for us: the Decision Sciences (DEC) Department celebrated its very first edition of Pi Day! On Friday, March 17th, faculty members and PhD students gathered to bring this tradition to life, sharing not only their enthusiasm for numbers but also their own homemade cakes and sweets. The event was the perfect combination of mathematical fun and community spirit.

Why all the excitement about pi? Dating back to Ancient Greece, mathematicians like Archimedes recognized its importance as the constant ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Because pi is an irrational, transcendental number, its digits continue infinitely without repeating—making it endlessly fascinating to scholars and scientists alike. Since the mid-18th century, it’s been symbolized by the Greek letter π, derived from the word perimetros meaning "circumference."

With this year's lively celebration, the DEC department kicked off what we hope will become an annual tradition. From now on, Pi Day at DEC will not only honor the elegance of mathematics but also offer a chance to foster community, share a laugh, and—of course—enjoy a slice of cake.

Here’s to the first of many Pi Days to come!