how to generate pi in c

[Jussi Lehtola]

On Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:28:59 -0800
Rick Stevens <ricks at 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.
-- 
Jussi Lehtola
Fedora Project Contributor
jussilehtola at fedoraproject.org