21–30 of 128 posts
The choice between Pi vs. Tau is completely arbitrary and should be based on minimizing the friction of use. Everyone knows Pi, few knows about Tau. I see no point in spending any more energy than that on this kind of nonsense decisions.
"Because that's the way we've always done is" is never a valid argument.
While choice between tau and pi is arbitrary from mathematical point, things like pedagogy, notational simplicity and aesthetics matter. The reason why I think π is probably better choice is because small multiples of constant are cognitively easier to process than fractions. 2π is easier to write and see as single object than τ/2. All we need to do is to make slight cognitive adjustment and think and teach 2π as a n…
The point is that you shouldn't have to write 2π in the first place. So notational simplicity would mandate the use of τ, not π.
Noting that you will have to write τ/2 for a half turn is moot, in your case you'll also have to write π/2 for a quarter turn anyway.
While choice between tau and pi is arbitrary from mathematical point, things like pedagogy, notational simplicity and aesthetics matter. The reason why I think π is probably better choice is because small multiples of constant are cognitively easier to process than fractions. 2π is easier to write and see as single object than τ/2. All we need to do is to make slight cognitive adjustment and think and teach 2π as a n…
While choice between tau and pi is arbitrary from mathematical point, things like pedagogy, notational simplicity and aesthetics matter. The reason why I think π is probably better choice is because small multiples of constant are cognitively easier to process than fractions. 2π is easier to write and see as single object than τ/2. All we need to do is to make slight cognitive adjustment and think and teach 2π as a n…
Meanwhile, millions of lines of code are written in languages with no type system to speak of, millions of Americans use imperial measurements, billions worldwide speak languages that are inefficient and ambiguous, and many many people aren't even educated enough to know about pi or tau.
We have much more damaging problems than multiplying by 2. Given the gigantic amount of effort it would take to fix this one, I think that effort could be better spent.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Because that's the way we've always done is" is never a valid argument.
Often it is. It's a perfectly good answer to, for example, "why do we drive on the side of the road that we do?"
The choice between Pi vs. Tau is completely arbitrary and should be based on minimizing the friction of use. Everyone knows Pi, few knows about Tau. I see no point in spending any more energy than that on this kind of nonsense decisions.
To use your own argument, 2*pi is far, far more common to encounter in physics/maths ie. real world examples, therefore minimizing friction would be using Tau ;)
It's just like that xkcd comic about introducing a new standard and now having N+1 standards. Except in this case the new standard offers only a factor of two.
I now use tau whenever I can. However, I don't find switching back and forth to accommodate pi loyalists that taxing. You don't really have to choose one exclusively.
I enjoy the ridiculousness of it all, but people who consider this anything other than a well-executed joke really should get a hold of themselves.