String Theorists Accidentally Found 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 notable for its dependence on a freely selectable parameter, λ, which allows for an infinite number of pi formulas. Their findings suggest that for smaller values of λ, pi can be calculated more efficiently than with previous methods, requiring significantly fewer terms to achieve high precision. Although their primary goal was not to derive a formula for pi, the discovery emerged as a by-product of their research into string interactions. This unexpected result also connects to the zeta function, which is central to the Riemann conjecture, a major unsolved problem in mathematics. The physicists emphasize that their motivation was focused on string theory rather than pi itself.

- Physicists discovered new formulas for pi while researching string theory.

- The new formula allows for an infinite number of equations for pi.

- Smaller values of λ enable faster calculations of pi compared to traditional methods.

- The discovery also relates to the zeta function and the Riemann conjecture.

- The primary research goal was not to find a formula for pi, but it emerged as a by-product.