Monday, April 4, 2016

Happy Square Root Day!


Pi Day isn't the only mathematical holiday this spring.  Fox 4 reminds everyone that it's Square Root Day 4/4/16.


Scientific American has more in It's Square Root Day! Prepare to Be Somewhat Underwhelmed...
Math geeks and those who love them are probably still in withdrawal: Pi Day, the holiday that commemorates everyone’s favorite irrational number, has come and gone, and the next one won’t happen until March 14, 2017—an agonizing 11-plus months in the future.

But wait, you say. Isn’t today another major math-related holiday? Four times four, or 42, is 16, and since today’s date is 4/4/16, this is—wait for it—square root day! It happens every time this sort of configuration rolls around: the last square root day was March 3, 2009, or 3/3/09, and the next will happen on May 5, 2025, or 5/5/25.

Before you get too excited, though, you need to face a sad truth: square root day is a second-rate math holiday at best—it’s like trying to get your pulse pounding over Arbor Day, compared with, say, Christmas or Thanksgiving or any other self-respecting festival.
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But if you think there’s no such thing as too many math celebrations, Square Root Day is by definition something to celebrate. While you’re at it, you might as well gear up for Fibonacci Day (11/23), Pythagorean Theorem Day (the date varies), and Math Storytelling Day (9/25).

When it comes to math holidays, in short, the fun—such as it is—never stops.
I'm all in favor of geeky fun holidays, even fake ones.

2 comments:

  1. Square Root Day is the equivalent of Arbor Day.... hahahaha. I'm not a math geek, but that was funny.

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    Replies
    1. It was, which is why I quoted it. Also, thanks for stopping by.

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