A talented young mathematician at Westholme School has recited Pi to an incredible 1,027 digits.
On International Day of Mathematics and Mathematical Pi day, senior student Natalie Haydock, from Salmesbury, smashed her own school record of 552 by 475 places at a competition held at the school in Pleasington, Lancashire.
The world-famous maths formula is the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter. It is a never ending, non-recurring decimal that cannot be expressed as a fraction. The first few digits of Pi are 3.1415926535…. and then it goes on forever
Westholme School’s Mathematics department ran the Pi recital competition where students were challenged to recite Pi to as many decimal places as possible, adjudicated by staff.
This year the results were incredible, and Year 10 student Natalie maintained her title as the Westholme record holder – beating her own senior school record from 2024.
The two mathematical days were also celebrated in Westholme’s Prep School (Reception class – year 6), Year 6 student Sienna Parkinson, from Bolton, set a new Prep record with 260 digits recited.
Sienna said: “I have been practising for a long time. I’m really proud of my technique of learning in groups of 10 digits.”
Claire Bateman, Mathematics teacher at Westholme, who organised the event, said: “It was amazing. Congratulations to Natalie, Sienna and to all our fellow pupils who entered.”
To celebrate, the whole school enjoyed a ‘Pi’ themed lunch – including Pi-aella, Pi-neapple juice and freshly baked apple Pi.
www.westholmeschool.com