SMRTR Science & EngineeringMay 5, 2026Scientific American

Why some mathematicians think we should abandon pi

SMRTR summary

Some mathematicians argue that pi (3.14159...) should be replaced by tau, a value exactly twice as large, because tau more naturally fits how circles and angles work in math. Physicist Michael Hartl's "Tau Manifesto" made the case, but opponents fired back with "The Pi Manifesto," defending pi's centuries-old role. Both sides agree the math itself doesn't change — only the notation does.

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