Pi (letter)
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- For other uses, see Pi (disambiguation)
In Greek, the letter is pronounced /piː/ (as in pee); in modern English, it is pronounced /paɪː/ (as the word pie), in particular when referring to the mathematical constant (see below). In words, it is pronounced /p/. In Modern Greek, the sequence of letters μπ represents the /b/ sound, as in boy (the second letter of the Greek alphabet is now pronounced /v/ as in very).
There is another variant of lower case Pi, resembling a lower case Omega: [\varpi\,\!].
The upper-case letter Π is used as a symbol for:
- The product operator in mathematics (in analogy to the use of the capital Sigma Σ as summation symbol).
- In textual criticism, Codex Petropolitanus, a 9th century, uncial codex of the Gospels, now located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
- The mathematical irrational constant π ≈ 3.14159..., the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter in Euclidean geometry. In Classical Greek it was also intended as a shorthand for the word perimetros or (περιμετρος) peri meaning "around" and "metros" to measure or measurement. Its equivalent in Latin being the slightly more familiar "circumference".
- The prime counting function in mathematics.
- Dimensionless parameters constructed using the Buckingham π theorem of dimensional analysis.
- The osmotic pressure in chemistry. π=MRT
- The elementary particle called the pi meson or pion.
- Profit in microeconomics.
- Inflation rate in macroeconomics.
- A type of chemical bond in which the P-orbitals overlap
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