Extracting Pi from Chaos

Abstract

SummaryWe present an experimental method to find some digits of π, by extracting it from chaos generated by a quadratic polynomial. In fact, we iterate the logistic map in its chaotic regime, and show how to extract the digits of π out of those chaotic numbers. Additional informationNotes on contributorsMilton F. MaritzMilton F. Maritz (mfmaritz@sun.ac.za) holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of the Free State (UFS). He has taught applied mathematics at UFS for 11 years, then physics at UFS for 5 years, and then applied mathematics again at Stellenbosch University for 22 years. His research interests include partial differential equations, image processing, and the mechanics of eccentrically loaded rolling hoops. He has also done research for industry, in particular in the modeling of shaped charge jet penetration.