Pi is an integral part of math, used in trigonometry and geometry, and most commonly known to be a part of a circle's equations for circumference and area. Circles are unique shapes that do not follow rules of other shapes, like squares. They have no angles and no sides. Rather than a perimeter, they have a circumference. They create a loop that is pi x the diameter in length. Without angles, there are no clear starting or ending points.
In terms of the novel, Pi’s name represents much of his experiences. In a circle, there is a certain fluidity, which can be seen through the novel in Pi’s life. In the first part Pi sets the foundation of his religious beliefs and where he developed them. The way beliefs present themselves in the remainder of the story as Pi is stuck at sea changes. While Pi still prays and sees certain colors as certain religions at sea, religion no longer is his main focus, as survival takes its place. This shift is representative of the fluidness of a circle. On page 215, Pi even describes that “To be a castaway is to be a point perpetually at the centre of a circle”, making a circle yet again a large part of Pi’s life as he is castaway for 227 days. Pi even explains that while castaway, “much things may appear to change”, again speaking to fluidity.
Another key trait of a circle is that there are no angles. Angles are sharp points where a “turn” occurs. While there are clear turning points in Pi’s life, things like his connection to animals and religion never fully disappear with a turning point.
Circles aside, pi is an irrational number that has no end. This irrationality can be connected to Pi as through his journey there are frequent moments where he gravitates away from reason. For example, on page 107, he “just held on, God only knows why,”. At this point, Richard Parker was on the lifeboat, yet Pi still chose to stay on, which in the long run, seemed irrational. Continuously, this irrationality appears through Pi’s journey, as if it came with the name.
Marissa, I thought your analysis of Pi’s name and the similar fluidly that exists throughout the novel. As you stated, a circle is symbolic of Pi’s story and I agree with you entirely. The physical symbol of drawing a circle with a clear start and ending point that are intertwined is mirroring Pi’s story as he begins reflecting on his experience and his life after to then transitioning to the story telling of his life including Part Three which features him retelling his story - almost as if it were to come full circle. Also, as Pi is an infinite number which correlates to the feeling of dread and hopelessness that Pi experiences on the boat. Overall, I thought your analysis was very thoughtful, throughout and interesting. - Mari Durlacher
After being tormented for his name “Piscine Molitor Patel” for many years, on his first day of secondary school Pi decides he needs a change. He shortens his first name Piscine to Pi, one which is not only easier to say, but harder to make fun of. This change in name is not simply a shortening of his given name, but also a mathematical symbol. It represents the ratio of a circle's diameter to circumference, the irrational number 3.14159… which spans on infinitely, and is still not fully understood. The mathematical significance of the number Pi is used as a symbol throughout the book, in multiple ways.
First, the actual symbol for the number pi has significance to Piscine. The number pi is named after the Greek letter π. The physical shape of this greek letter is representative of the effect that it has on Pi. When Piscine first shares his new nickname with his class, it acts as a barrier. It protects him from the insults and torment which he faced due to his unusual name. He explains how “in that Greek letter that looks like a shack… [he] found refuge (page 24.)” The security and peace that Piscine felt after taking on his new nickname was the same protection one would feel when in the comfort of their own home. Since the letter for Pi appears almost like a shelter or home, it symbolizes this comfort that it allowed Pi to feel. Almost like a real house which has room for many, the comfort which Piscine felt with this new nickname helped not only him, but other classmates who began following Piscine’s example, and creating their own nicknames for themselves, showing the significance of the actual symbol of π for Piscine.
The actual mathematical significance of Pi also helps to symbolize the importance of Pi’s new nickname. As explained previously, the number pi is irrational, meaning it expands infinitely. When Pi Still went by the name Piscine, he felt trapped. The names others called him made him feel as if he couldn't be anything else, and this emotional burden made it difficult for him to even focus in schools, as the teacher’s started calling him the name “Pissing Patel” by accident.After taking on his new nickname, Pi was freed from this burden. It opened him up to infinite possibilities, most of which Pi was yet to explore such as zoology and the religious studies which he ended up pursuing. Without him using this new nickname, the stress from this bullying may have prevented him from pursuing these opportunities. Overall, this mathematical significance of the number Pi symbolizes the peace and new opportunities that Pi found through the use of this nickname.
I like how you compared the safety behind changing his name to Pi to the mathematical meaning behind π. As you stated, the physical shape of π looked like a shack in which he could find shelter. I also liked how you touched on the fact that π is irrational and expands indefinitely, much like how Pi was opened to infinite possibilities after he got his new nickname. Additionally, though we cannot tell if Pi would not pursue his interests as a result of bullying in would clearly hinder or at the very least affect his outlook on life. Furthermore I pose, would Pi potentially change his name back to Piscine later in his life?
𝝅 is found in a vast variety of substrates found within mathematics. From geometry, to calculus, 𝝅 finds its way into the many nooks and crannies that mathematicians need to have filled in order to understand a plethora of complex mathematical topics. Without 𝝅, mathematics would be much further behind than it is today.
𝝅 is found in both conventional, and strangely surprising ways in mathematics. The initial discovery of 𝝅, or at least the most widely recognised one, notes that the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter is always equal to the constant 𝝅. It only makes sense that 𝝅 is used in similar problems which consist of trigonometric and circular roots. However, 𝝅 is also found in a strange and completely different mathematical context. The Basel Problem, solved by notable mathematician LeonHard Euler, is the question of what the final sum of infinite terms of 1/n^2 starting at 1 is. That is, if you were to take 1 + ¼ + 1/9 + 1/16, and so on, what would the final infinite pass of the series sum up to? The answer was surprisingly 𝝅^2 / 6. The actual proof of the problem makes sense, (Somewhat…Not really), but regardless of the current understanding of the problem, it certainly is astonishing to find 𝝅 coming up in such a strange mathematical context. At least, to early mathematicians it was.
𝝅 is also most notably denoted as the constant value 3.14159. However, due to the infinite number of digits beyond its decimal point, the value has never truly been defined. The very number that mathematicians rely on to make technological progress and prove mathematics, is not even truly known itself. This paradoxical existence of 𝝅 in mathematics is exactly what I believe the role of faith in the novel, Life of Pi, seems to be.
In the novel, Pi finds himself in the ocean with all the odds seemingly turned against him. Most obviously, he is literally stranded in the ocean, with little to no supplies or means of communication, and just to top it off, he has to deal with a royal bengal tiger. However, he also has to deal with himself, and his declining mental state as he tries to keep his sanity intact.
Just as 𝝅 finds itself in a variety of strange mathematical contexts, Pi finds faith in his own dilemma. This is not to say that Pi has never had faith before this, as we have seen his multifaceted roots within religion in Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. However, his faith is most certainly an unexpected savior in his shipwrecked state. Pi, ironically with such a mathematical and logical name, is able to rely on faith to sustain his physical and mental wellbeing instead of being demoralized by his logically horrific situation.
Earlier in the novel, Pi notes that he admires atheists as they at least believe in something. He puts importance on the belief of just something, even if there is no clear reason why. Opposingly, Pi finds distaste in agnostics, who sit on the fence between religion and science. He finds their lack of imagination a barrier to faith. As Pi drifts along the ocean, his faith is what brings him solace and the bare amounts of hope to not succumb to death. Pi’s fondness of life is only supported by faith, which brings him the willpower to not succumb in moments of doubt or pain.
Just as 𝝅 remains to be a surprising, yet sensible discovery in many mathematical denotations, Pi’s faith in religion and life is what brings him surprising surmounts of the desire to survive while he waits to be rescued while drifting around in the ocean in the spherical globe.
Your comparison between pi, the numerical figure, and Pi, the person, is multifaceted and complex. I expected to see your response highlight similarities in their qualities (the basal problem or the infinite number of digits), but was surprised to read the macro approach to your analysis — that being focused on overall uniqueness. For example, you tied pi’s (the number) surprising nature with Pi’s (the person)internal battle with religion. This doesn’t necessarily compare any specific characteristics, but rather, the general mystique around both figures. Such insightful, layered analysis makes this post a great read and interesting to ponder upon.
In an attempt to put a stop to the teasing in his early youth, Pi makes a very determined effort in all his class to make sure he is referred to as “Pi” instead of “Piscine” or “Pissing”. For some background, the mathematical term, pi, is an irrational term that refers to the ratio of every circle’s diameter to its circumference. For convenience, it is often written as 3.14, but the terms continue infinitely thus it is impossible to determine its definite value. While on the surface level Pi’s new nickname may only seem like a stop-cork to the bullying, it can also be interpreted on a deeper level as it connects back to the novel’s theme of faith and religion.
First off, because this irrational term is infinite, it is impossible to fully grasp its full magnitude. No matter how many decimal places it is calculated to, there will always be an unknown value in Pi that we cannot comprehend. Despite this, math scholars still have faith that this irrational term is a mathematical value even though they cannot fully grasp its true value. Similar to the math scholars who can come to a conclusion despite there being unknowns, Pi believes there is great merit in having faith. He makes this clear early on in the novel by calling his peers “muddled agnostics” as they were in the “thrall of reason”. Clearly, Pi is mocking the agnostics as they choose not to have faith and instead choose to stand in the middle of theism and atheism. Unlike these agnostics, there are many instances in which Pi chooses to take leaps of faith instead of standing in the middle ground. For example, Pi chooses to practice multiple religions at a very young age. Not only that, but he also references different aspects of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam throughout the book as well. Clearly, Pi’s own name is symbolic of his own character as he is one who likes to come to a conclusion even if it means he has to accept the unknown.
All in all, when looking deeper into the meaning of Pi’s name, readers can see that there are also so many levels of symbolism in his name. Ultimately, there are so many details in this novel that connect back to the idea of rationality and irrationality which is seen especially from Pi’s point of view.
Michael, I enjoyed reading your analysis of pi in context of the novel, especially how you equate the trust both mathematicians and Pi have in the “unknown.” Like you mention, the number pi is logical to mathematicians despite its endlessness; to Pi, religion, to a certain degree, also requires logic despite its complexities. Something I also find interesting about what you said is how Pi looks down on agnosticism for having doubt in the unknown. Perhaps he thinks this way because he embraces that trust in the unknown (as shown by your example of Pi practicing three religions) which is antithetical to doubting the unknown. Great analysis! - Kelly Liu
Pi is an integral part of math, used in trigonometry and geometry, and most commonly known to be a part of a circle's equations for circumference and area. Circles are unique shapes that do not follow rules of other shapes, like squares. They have no angles and no sides. Rather than a perimeter, they have a circumference. They create a loop that is pi x the diameter in length. Without angles, there are no clear starting or ending points.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the novel, Pi’s name represents much of his experiences. In a circle, there is a certain fluidity, which can be seen through the novel in Pi’s life. In the first part Pi sets the foundation of his religious beliefs and where he developed them. The way beliefs present themselves in the remainder of the story as Pi is stuck at sea changes. While Pi still prays and sees certain colors as certain religions at sea, religion no longer is his main focus, as survival takes its place. This shift is representative of the fluidness of a circle. On page 215, Pi even describes that “To be a castaway is to be a point perpetually at the centre of a circle”, making a circle yet again a large part of Pi’s life as he is castaway for 227 days. Pi even explains that while castaway, “much things may appear to change”, again speaking to fluidity.
Another key trait of a circle is that there are no angles. Angles are sharp points where a “turn” occurs. While there are clear turning points in Pi’s life, things like his connection to animals and religion never fully disappear with a turning point.
Circles aside, pi is an irrational number that has no end. This irrationality can be connected to Pi as through his journey there are frequent moments where he gravitates away from reason. For example, on page 107, he “just held on, God only knows why,”. At this point, Richard Parker was on the lifeboat, yet Pi still chose to stay on, which in the long run, seemed irrational. Continuously, this irrationality appears through Pi’s journey, as if it came with the name.
- Marissa Lozins
Life of Pi response
DeleteMarissa, I thought your analysis of Pi’s name and the similar fluidly that exists throughout the novel. As you stated, a circle is symbolic of Pi’s story and I agree with you entirely. The physical symbol of drawing a circle with a clear start and ending point that are intertwined is mirroring Pi’s story as he begins reflecting on his experience and his life after to then transitioning to the story telling of his life including Part Three which features him retelling his story - almost as if it were to come full circle. Also, as Pi is an infinite number which correlates to the feeling of dread and hopelessness that Pi experiences on the boat. Overall, I thought your analysis was very thoughtful, throughout and interesting. - Mari Durlacher
After being tormented for his name “Piscine Molitor Patel” for many years, on his first day of secondary school Pi decides he needs a change. He shortens his first name Piscine to Pi, one which is not only easier to say, but harder to make fun of. This change in name is not simply a shortening of his given name, but also a mathematical symbol. It represents the ratio of a circle's diameter to circumference, the irrational number 3.14159… which spans on infinitely, and is still not fully understood. The mathematical significance of the number Pi is used as a symbol throughout the book, in multiple ways.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the actual symbol for the number pi has significance to Piscine. The number pi is named after the Greek letter π. The physical shape of this greek letter is representative of the effect that it has on Pi. When Piscine first shares his new nickname with his class, it acts as a barrier. It protects him from the insults and torment which he faced due to his unusual name. He explains how “in that Greek letter that looks like a shack… [he] found refuge (page 24.)” The security and peace that Piscine felt after taking on his new nickname was the same protection one would feel when in the comfort of their own home. Since the letter for Pi appears almost like a shelter or home, it symbolizes this comfort that it allowed Pi to feel. Almost like a real house which has room for many, the comfort which Piscine felt with this new nickname helped not only him, but other classmates who began following Piscine’s example, and creating their own nicknames for themselves, showing the significance of the actual symbol of π for Piscine.
The actual mathematical significance of Pi also helps to symbolize the importance of Pi’s new nickname. As explained previously, the number pi is irrational, meaning it expands infinitely. When Pi Still went by the name Piscine, he felt trapped. The names others called him made him feel as if he couldn't be anything else, and this emotional burden made it difficult for him to even focus in schools, as the teacher’s started calling him the name “Pissing Patel” by accident.After taking on his new nickname, Pi was freed from this burden. It opened him up to infinite possibilities, most of which Pi was yet to explore such as zoology and the religious studies which he ended up pursuing. Without him using this new nickname, the stress from this bullying may have prevented him from pursuing these opportunities. Overall, this mathematical significance of the number Pi symbolizes the peace and new opportunities that Pi found through the use of this nickname.
-Blake Duvall
I like how you compared the safety behind changing his name to Pi to the mathematical meaning behind π. As you stated, the physical shape of π looked like a shack in which he could find shelter. I also liked how you touched on the fact that π is irrational and expands indefinitely, much like how Pi was opened to infinite possibilities after he got his new nickname. Additionally, though we cannot tell if Pi would not pursue his interests as a result of bullying in would clearly hinder or at the very least affect his outlook on life. Furthermore I pose, would Pi potentially change his name back to Piscine later in his life?
Delete𝝅 is found in a vast variety of substrates found within mathematics. From geometry, to calculus, 𝝅 finds its way into the many nooks and crannies that mathematicians need to have filled in order to understand a plethora of complex mathematical topics. Without 𝝅, mathematics would be much further behind than it is today.
ReplyDelete𝝅 is found in both conventional, and strangely surprising ways in mathematics. The initial discovery of 𝝅, or at least the most widely recognised one, notes that the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter is always equal to the constant 𝝅. It only makes sense that 𝝅 is used in similar problems which consist of trigonometric and circular roots. However, 𝝅 is also found in a strange and completely different mathematical context. The Basel Problem, solved by notable mathematician LeonHard Euler, is the question of what the final sum of infinite terms of 1/n^2 starting at 1 is. That is, if you were to take 1 + ¼ + 1/9 + 1/16, and so on, what would the final infinite pass of the series sum up to? The answer was surprisingly 𝝅^2 / 6. The actual proof of the problem makes sense, (Somewhat…Not really), but regardless of the current understanding of the problem, it certainly is astonishing to find 𝝅 coming up in such a strange mathematical context. At least, to early mathematicians it was.
𝝅 is also most notably denoted as the constant value 3.14159. However, due to the infinite number of digits beyond its decimal point, the value has never truly been defined. The very number that mathematicians rely on to make technological progress and prove mathematics, is not even truly known itself. This paradoxical existence of 𝝅 in mathematics is exactly what I believe the role of faith in the novel, Life of Pi, seems to be.
In the novel, Pi finds himself in the ocean with all the odds seemingly turned against him. Most obviously, he is literally stranded in the ocean, with little to no supplies or means of communication, and just to top it off, he has to deal with a royal bengal tiger. However, he also has to deal with himself, and his declining mental state as he tries to keep his sanity intact.
Just as 𝝅 finds itself in a variety of strange mathematical contexts, Pi finds faith in his own dilemma. This is not to say that Pi has never had faith before this, as we have seen his multifaceted roots within religion in Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. However, his faith is most certainly an unexpected savior in his shipwrecked state. Pi, ironically with such a mathematical and logical name, is able to rely on faith to sustain his physical and mental wellbeing instead of being demoralized by his logically horrific situation.
Earlier in the novel, Pi notes that he admires atheists as they at least believe in something. He puts importance on the belief of just something, even if there is no clear reason why. Opposingly, Pi finds distaste in agnostics, who sit on the fence between religion and science. He finds their lack of imagination a barrier to faith. As Pi drifts along the ocean, his faith is what brings him solace and the bare amounts of hope to not succumb to death. Pi’s fondness of life is only supported by faith, which brings him the willpower to not succumb in moments of doubt or pain.
Just as 𝝅 remains to be a surprising, yet sensible discovery in many mathematical denotations, Pi’s faith in religion and life is what brings him surprising surmounts of the desire to survive while he waits to be rescued while drifting around in the ocean in the spherical globe.
-Sudhi Chavadam
Your comparison between pi, the numerical figure, and Pi, the person, is multifaceted and complex. I expected to see your response highlight similarities in their qualities (the basal problem or the infinite number of digits), but was surprised to read the macro approach to your analysis — that being focused on overall uniqueness. For example, you tied pi’s (the number) surprising nature with Pi’s (the person)internal battle with religion. This doesn’t necessarily compare any specific characteristics, but rather, the general mystique around both figures. Such insightful, layered analysis makes this post a great read and interesting to ponder upon.
Delete- Aditya Ramesh
In an attempt to put a stop to the teasing in his early youth, Pi makes a very determined effort in all his class to make sure he is referred to as “Pi” instead of “Piscine” or “Pissing”. For some background, the mathematical term, pi, is an irrational term that refers to the ratio of every circle’s diameter to its circumference. For convenience, it is often written as 3.14, but the terms continue infinitely thus it is impossible to determine its definite value. While on the surface level Pi’s new nickname may only seem like a stop-cork to the bullying, it can also be interpreted on a deeper level as it connects back to the novel’s theme of faith and religion.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, because this irrational term is infinite, it is impossible to fully grasp its full magnitude. No matter how many decimal places it is calculated to, there will always be an unknown value in Pi that we cannot comprehend. Despite this, math scholars still have faith that this irrational term is a mathematical value even though they cannot fully grasp its true value. Similar to the math scholars who can come to a conclusion despite there being unknowns, Pi believes there is great merit in having faith. He makes this clear early on in the novel by calling his peers “muddled agnostics” as they were in the “thrall of reason”. Clearly, Pi is mocking the agnostics as they choose not to have faith and instead choose to stand in the middle of theism and atheism. Unlike these agnostics, there are many instances in which Pi chooses to take leaps of faith instead of standing in the middle ground. For example, Pi chooses to practice multiple religions at a very young age. Not only that, but he also references different aspects of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam throughout the book as well. Clearly, Pi’s own name is symbolic of his own character as he is one who likes to come to a conclusion even if it means he has to accept the unknown.
All in all, when looking deeper into the meaning of Pi’s name, readers can see that there are also so many levels of symbolism in his name. Ultimately, there are so many details in this novel that connect back to the idea of rationality and irrationality which is seen especially from Pi’s point of view.
-Michael Cheung
Michael, I enjoyed reading your analysis of pi in context of the novel, especially how you equate the trust both mathematicians and Pi have in the “unknown.” Like you mention, the number pi is logical to mathematicians despite its endlessness; to Pi, religion, to a certain degree, also requires logic despite its complexities. Something I also find interesting about what you said is how Pi looks down on agnosticism for having doubt in the unknown. Perhaps he thinks this way because he embraces that trust in the unknown (as shown by your example of Pi practicing three religions) which is antithetical to doubting the unknown. Great analysis!
Delete- Kelly Liu