Pi: The Next Generation

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This collection features 25 papers published since the 1970s, focusing on pi and related areas in mathematics and computer science. It opens with a Foreword by Bruce Berndt, and each paper includes a brief summary and a keyword list that connects it to other contributions. The articles cover various topics, including actual computations of pi, mathematical inquiries such as the normality of pi, and innovative techniques for calculating its digits, like the “BBP” algorithm, which allows for the computation of arbitrary binary digits without prior digits. The volume also presents significant mathematical results related to pi and advanced graphical methods for analyzing its properties. It serves as a companion to a previous source book on pi, with its collection starting with two foundational papers from 1976 by Eugene Salamin and Richard Brent. These papers introduced “quadratically convergent” algorithms for pi and other functions, marking the onset of modern computational mathematics. This era coincides with the rise of high-performance computing, which has seen exponential growth in power. The book appeals to a diverse audience, offering advanced research insights for specialists while remaining accessible to undergraduate students in mathematics.