Pi's Unexpected Journey from Math to Physics

Pi, a number we often associate with circles, has an unexpected role in physics. It's not just about calculating areas anymore. The methods used to find pi are now helping scientists tackle complex problems, like understanding black holes and how things mix. A long time ago, a brilliant mathematician named Srinivasa Ramanujan discovered 17 special formulas to calculate pi. These formulas were efficient and easy to use. Even today, supercomputers rely on his ideas to find pi's digits. But here's where it gets interesting: these formulas also appear in physics. They show up in theories about things that look the same no matter how close you look, like fractals. This happens in water at a special point, in how things spread, and even in black holes. Scientists have found that the math behind Ramanujan's formulas is also present in these physics theories. This helps them understand tricky things like turbulence and how stuff spreads. It's as if Ramanujan was studying physics without realizing it. This connection shows that math and physics are deeply linked. Ramanujan's old work is now helping scientists understand the universe better. It's a reminder that cool math often has real-world applications.