On Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:28:59 -0800 Rick Stevens ricks@nerd.com wrote:
Marko Vojinovic wrote:
Second, there are certain theoretical
ideas about the distribution
of digits in transcendental numbers which can make progress via such lengthy computations.
Nobody needs more than about 6 figures for doing any engineering work, however.
IIRC the most accurate measurement of any quantity in nature is that of the fine structure constant with 12 significant digits, so one really doesn't usually need much precision.
Is string theory, quantum mechanics or relativity the "truer" reflection of reality? Hell, we sent space probes on close fly-bys of Uranus and hit asteroids using good ol' Newtonian mechanics.
Good luck in getting GPS to work without relativity. Or your computer without quantum mechanics; you need it to get a reasonable description of semiconductors (e.g. transistors) or lasers (your cdrom drive).
But this discussion is really OT to this list.