Physicists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have discovered a new way to represent pi (π), the mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. This surprising finding came about while they were researching something completely different: how string theory could be used to explain physical phenomena.

Physicists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have discovered a new way to represent pi (π), the mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. This surprising finding came about while they were researching something completely different: how string theory could be used to explain physical phenomena.

Traditionally, pi is represented by an infinite series of decimal digits, 3.14159..., but calculating its exact value requires complex computations. The new series formula discovered by the IISc researchers offers an alternative way to arrive at an approximation of pi, potentially making it easier to use in specific calculations like those involved in studying the scattering of high-energy particles.

Interestingly, under certain conditions, the new formula bears a close resemblance to the very first recorded series representation of pi, developed by the Indian mathematician Madhava in the 15th century. The researchers themselves weren't initially looking for a new way to represent pi, but their work highlights the interconnectedness of mathematics and physics, with discoveries in one field sometimes leading to advancements in the other.