International Day of Mathematics 2024: History and Significance

International Day of Mathematics, also known as World Pi Day, is celebrated every year on March 14. It is a worldwide celebration observed by mathematicians of all ages to raise awareness about the importance of mathematics in addressing daily life challenges. On this day, countries across the world organize events, webinars, seminars, and different events for students to celebrate a day dedicated to their favorite subject. Read this article to learn more about the history of Pi Day, its theme, significance, and more. 

Name of the day	International Day of Mathematics
Observed on	March 14
Reason	To help people acknowledge the importance of mathematics in our lives.
Theme 2024	Playing with Math

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About World Pi Day- History of International Day of Mathematics

The main objectives of the International Day of Mathematics are to increase access to information about mathematics, to foster international networking and collaborations in the field of public awareness of mathematics, and to increase public understanding of the value of mathematics in education, modern society, science, and disaster management.

• The International Day of Mathematics or IDM refers to a project started by the International Mathematical Union.
• The date March 14 is carefully decided to celebrate IDM since the Mathematical constant Pi is approximately 3.14 and in some countries, the date is written as 3/14. Pretty cool, right?
• The 205th session of the UNESCO Executive Council declared March 14 to be the International Day of Mathematics. 
• The day was subsequently approved at the UNESCO General Conference’s 40th session in November 2019. 
• The first International Day of Mathematics was observed on March 14, 2020, with the theme “Mathematics is Everywhere” later in the year.

Also Read: National Mathematics Day: History, Theme, Significance

What is the Theme of the International Day of Mathematics?

Every year, a specific theme is announced to keep the festivities entertaining and surprising. Most importantly, the theme is carefully chosen to highlight the connection between the field of mathematics and the entire world. The theme of International Day of Mathematics 2024 is “Playing with Math”. Here are its previous years’ themes.

Year	Theme
2024	Playing with Math
2023	Mathematics for Everyone
2022	Mathematics Unites
2021	Mathematics for a Better World
2020	Mathematics is Everywhere

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Timeline of Events: World Pi Day

UNESCO Adopts International Day of Mathematics (2018)

At its 205th meeting, the UNESCO Executive Council declares the first International Day of Mathematics.

Pi Day as the International Day of Mathematics (2019)

Pi Day is declared the International Day of Mathematics by the UNESCO General Assembly at its 40th session.

The First International Day of Mathematics (2020)

On March 14, 2020, the I.D.M. celebrates its official opening.

The First Virtual Celebration (2021)

The topic for the first virtual International Day of Mathematics is “Mathematics for a Better Society.”

Also Read: 20 Most Famous Indian Mathematicians

How to Observe International Day of Mathematics?

You can plan celebrations for the International Day of Mathematics in your community and invite your friends and relatives to join you. Here are a few Pi Day activities for elementary students:

• Plan an event: You can plan celebrations for the International Day of Mathematics in your community and invite your friends and relatives to join you.
• Take Part in a Math Contest: If you enjoy competition, you can participate in math competitions that are being held today in person or online and let your inner genius shine!
• Teach Mathematics: Teaching math is the best way to observe the International Day of Mathematics! You can assist your children or a student in your neighborhood school with their math tuition and teach them about the fascinating field of mathematics.

Facts about Mathematics

• Shakespeare‘s “The Taming of the Shrew” has the word “mathematics.”
• An obelus is a term given to the division symbol (÷).
• The time interval we typically refer to as a “jiffy” is a real one. It denotes a hundredth of a second.
• The old Norse word “hundredth,” which signifies 120, is where the word “hundred” originates from.
• Only the number “four” has the same amount of letters as the actual number in the English language.

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What is the Significance of the International Day of Mathematics? 

The International Day of Mathematics or the World Pi Day holds great significance for different reasons such as:

• The International Day of Mathematics is the perfect opportunity to educate students about the role of mathematics in leading to groundbreaking discoveries. 
• It also aims to achieve gender equality in the field of mathematics by empowering women and girls. 
• Another significance of World Pi Day is that it aims to contribute to the successful completion of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda (SDG1-17) of the United Nations.
• Mathematical notions from the past and present are equally useful today. For instance, understanding basic algebra is necessary before understanding calculus, which makes learning more engaging.

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