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D: 3.1415926535 . . .
Y: Don. Don?
D: What?
Y: What are you doing?
D: I was trying to break the record for memorizing pi. Now I'll have to start over.
Y: Memorize pi? Oh yeah, I remember that from 7th grade geometry. But how can you memorize pi? We usually abbreviate it as 3.14, but the numbers just keep going after the decimal point.
D: I'm trying to memorize as many numbers as I can. The record is 42,000 decimal places.
Y: Wow. You're really going to try to memorize that much? Why? What is pi, anyway.
D: It's only one of the most fascinating numbers in the history of mathematics. It sounds simple: Pi equals the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. No matter how large or small the circle, the ratio always equals pi.
Y: That's interesting.
D: Yes, and it has been for over 4000 years. The Babylonians were the first to approximate pi, and ever since, mathematicians have come up with ways of figuring it more accurately. In modern times we've used supercomputers to calculate pi to billions of decimal places.
Y: That's really something. But what's all the excitement about? I mean, what is pi used for?
D: It's used to measure the length of arcs and other curves and to determine the area of sectors and other curves. It's also used to measure the volume of solids. For instance, if you're a rocket scientist trying to calculate the fuel capacity of a cylindrical fuel tank, pi's your guy.
Y: Cool.
D: Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a record to break.
Y: Good luck.
D: 3.1415 9265 3589 7932 3846 . . .
【生词注释】
memorize v.记住, 记下
pi n.圆周率
start over 重新开始
geometry n. 几何学
decimal point 小数点
fascinating adj.迷人的
curve n.曲线
sector n.扇形
