If you can make a weird non-euclidean mathematical space where parallels lines actually *do* touch eventually, can you make a weird mathematical space where the ratio between a circle’s circumference and its diameter is something other than 3.14159…..etc.? Is there a geometry I don’t know where “pi” is just 3, for instance?
Following from that, the universe as we know it is based on certain fundamental properties, and I’ve heard speculation that there may be other universes (within a multiverse) that have different fundamental properties. In theory, could there some other universe where pi is 3?
In: Mathematics
Yes, in alternate geometries you can have circles where the ratio of circumference to radius is something other than 2pi. For example, in hyperbolic geometry (a plane is “saddle shaped” rather than flat) it’s always more than 2pi (and the value depends on the size of the circle compared to the size of the curvature too).
This isn’t exactly the same as a different value of pi…it depends on how you define pi. There are lots of definitions that don’t depend on circles and wouldn’t change with geometry.
I’m not sure exactly what geometry gives you a ratio of three.
Latest Answers