Mathematicians Call It Godβs Formula
The equality ππ π + π = π is called Eulerβs Identity, thanks to the 18th century mathematician, Leonhard Euler. In 1988 it was voted the most beautiful formula in mathematics. The identity stunningly integrates the five most important numbers from different branches of mathematics: π, π, π, 1, and 0.
- The constant π β 2.718281827 β¦ is an irrational number, coming from the branch of calculus \( e=\lim_{n\to\infty} \left (1 + \frac{1}{n} \right )^n \)
- The constant π β 3.1415 β¦ is also an irrational number, coming from geometry. It represents the ratio of the circumference of the circle to its diameter.
- The constant \( i=\sqrt{-1} \) is the imaginary unit of the complex numbers, defined in algebra.
- The constants 0 and 1 are whole numbers from arithmetic.
- It is simple, surprising, important, and that is what makes it beautiful.