String Theorists Accidentally Find a New Formula for Pi

Two physicists, Arnab Priya Saha and Aninda Sinha from the Indian Institute of Science, have inadvertently discovered a new formula for calculating pi while researching a unifying theory of fundamental forces in string theory. Their work, published in Physical Review Letters, reveals an infinite number of equations for pi, stemming from their exploration of how strings interact. Historically, pi has been calculated using various methods, including geometric approaches by ancient scholars like Archimedes and infinite series developed in the 15th century. Saha and Sinha's formula is a generalization of earlier methods, including one by the Indian mathematician Madhava, which requires many terms to achieve high precision. Their new formula allows for faster calculations of pi, needing fewer terms for smaller values of a parameter they introduced. Although their primary goal was not to find a formula for pi, the discovery highlights the interconnectedness of mathematical concepts, as their equations also relate to the Riemann zeta function, a significant unsolved problem in mathematics. This unexpected finding underscores the potential for interdisciplinary research to yield surprising results.

- Physicists discovered a new formula for pi while studying string theory.

- The formula allows for infinitely many equations for calculating pi.

- Their work generalizes earlier methods, enabling faster calculations.

- The discovery also relates to the Riemann zeta function, a major mathematical mystery.

- The researchers did not initially aim to find a formula for pi; it was a by-product of their main research.