> On Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:48:58 -0500, John J wrote:
>

>> Art wrote:
>>

>>> 22/7 = 3.1428 ...
>>> pi = 3.1415 ....
>>>
>>> As you can see, they fail to be equal at only the third decimal place.

>> Question: how does the presumed precision of Pi (that is, Pi to 4
>> decimal places) function in terms of, say, machining some parts that all
>> use Pi, for example a series of different sized wheels that must
>> interact to function properly as a machine? That is, if the largest
>> wheel is, say 100 times larger than the smallest, with n number of
>> wheels between, does choosing 22/7 over 3.1415 make a significant
>> difference? And if the wheels interacted as toothed gears, does that
>> change anything? (The later is clearly fractionalized.)

>
> Ok, so some clown comes along and claims that the magic number 3
> is the secret of the universe since it equals pi. You say that's close
> enough ... that's wonderful ... you've found the secret of the
> universe :)
>
> The point is that "equals" has mathematical (and logical) meaning,
> and since 22/7 <> pi the guy made a false statement. He didn't
> say "approximately equals" since he obviously enjoys deluding himself
> with a bunch of worthless numerical mumbo jumbo.