Tony: Is Pi mentioned in the Bible, the Quran, the Torah or the Talmud?
ChatGPT-4:
The concept of π (pi), which is the ratio between the circumference of a circle and its diameter, is not explicitly mentioned in religious texts as we know it today. However, there are cases where it may be indirectly referenced due to descriptions of objects or circular structures. Below are some examples:
- Bible:
- In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), there is a passage in 1 Kings 7:23-26 describing the construction of a “molten sea” or large pool in Solomon’s Temple that has led some readers to interpret an implicit value for π. The verse describes the basin as having 10 cubits in diameter and 30 cubits in circumference, which would suggest a π value of 3.0, rather than the more precise approximation of 3.14159.
2. Torah:
- The Torah contains the same text as the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, so the aforementioned passage from 1 Kings 7:23-26 is also present in the Torah.
3. Talmud:
- In the Talmud, there are discussions among rabbis regarding geometry and measurements, which include discussions about circles. Some of these discussions might indirectly refer to the concept of π, but not in the precise mathematical way that we understand it today.
4. Quran:
- There is no direct mention or reference to π in the Quran. Some readers or commentators might claim to find indirect references or coded messages related to π, but these interpretations are often speculative and are not widely accepted within scholarly or religious communities.
It is important to note that the historical, mathematical, and contextual understanding of these texts can be complex and interpretations can vary widely among different religious scholars and practitioners.
Tony: I would say the text on Solomon’s Temple gives them a rough idea of how to get a circular shape for the pool. To me that doesn’t mean they understand that pi is a constant.
ChatGPT-4: