Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by orangecat 1087 days ago
Interesting. It's probably not worth defining a new constant for exp(2π), but this is a further demonstration of the Tau Manifesto's argument that 2π is much more of a fundamental value than π.
1 comments

Fundamental sounds like a value judgment. Pi is transcendental. 2 isn't. That's really the distinction. Unless there were other finite factors in pi, that is the number that's always going to have to be approximated in computation.
"Tau is transcendental. 0.5 isn't."

It's definitely a value judgment. But the value judgment is: Is the radius or the diameter more fundamental to a circle?

As the Tau manifesto points out, tau/4 = pi/2 = lambda is pretty fundamental too ! (The "orthogonality constant" ?)
Geometry isn't the only application of pi. Nor is the geometric interpretation the only way to determine what is "fundamental."

Why not use Darians? http://proper-pi-manifesto.com

Fundamental sounds meaningless to me.

Talking about statements and words with meaning I am sure, that Tau is the more useful circle constant out of these two: less symbols, conceptually clearer equations.

Also turn is generally a more useful measurement unit for angle than radian or degree, but radian has its own merits, and not disposable, unlike pi.