While investigating how string theory can explain certain physical phenomena, IISc physicists have stumbled upon a new series representation for calculating the mathematical constant pi, which is a key breakthrough in the field. “Pi” is an irrational number represented with the symbol “π”.
Pi Surprise – IISc Physicists Find New Formula While Studying Particle Interactions
On Monday, the institute said that the discovery provides an easier way to extract pi from calculations involved in deciphering processes like the quantum scattering of high-energy particles.
The study was carried out by Arnab Saha, a post-doc and Aninda Sinha, professor at Centre for High Energy Physics (CHEP), and published in Physical Review Letters.
IISc said that “The new formula under a certain limit closely reaches the representation of pi suggested by Indian mathematician Sangamagrama Madhava in the 15th century, which was the first ever series for pi recorded in history”.
The professor said that initially they had no plans to finds new way to look at pi.
Instead they intended to study the high-energy physics in quantum theory & try to develop a model with fewer and more accurate parameters to understand how particles interact.
Sinha said that “We were excited when we got a new way to look at pi”.
Speaking in terms of mathematics, a “series” is used to represent a parameter like “pi” in its component form.
Pi can be represented as a combination of many numbers of parameters. It has been a challenge to find the correct number and combination of these parameters to reach close to the exact value of pi.
From String Theory to Pi – Unexpected Breakthrough in Calculations
IISc said that the “The series that Sinha and Saha have stumbled upon combines specific parameters in such a way that scientists can rapidly arrive at the value of pi, which can then be incorporated in calculations, like those involved in deciphering scattering of high-energy particles”.
Till now the same has been missed by physicists (and mathematicians) since they did not have the right tools, said Sinha. He added the same were only found through work his team has been doing with collaborators over the last three years or so.
He said that “In the early 1970s, scientists briefly examined this line of research but quickly abandoned it since it was too complicated”, adding that although the findings are theoretical at this stage, it is not impossible that they may lead to practical applications in the future.
Sinha points to how Paul Dirac worked on the mathematics of the motion and existence of electrons in 1928, but never thought that his findings would later provide clues to the discovery of the positron, and then to the design of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) used to scan the body for diseases and abnormalities.
Sinha added that “Doing this kind of work, although it may not see an immediate application in daily life, gives the pure pleasure of doing theory for the sake of doing it”.
