# Tau (Incomplete)

$\large\tau$ is defined as $2\pi$ and if you don't know what $\pi$ is, its not the sweet treat, I can assure you.

$\pi$ is defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. This means - $\pi = \dfrac{\text{circumference}}{\text{diameter}}$

$\pi$ Visualized :)

Now, back to $\large\tau$, it is $2\pi$. This means - $\tau = \dfrac{2 \times \text{circumference}}{\text{diameter}} \ \text{or} \ \dfrac{\text{circumference}}{\text{radius}}$

The first $10$ digits of $\pi$(sometimes written as 'pi' and pronounced 'pie') go like this - $3.141592653 \ldots$

And the first $10$ digits of $\large\tau$(sometimes written as 'tau' and pronounced 'tau') are twice that - $6.283185307 \ldots$

Since $\large\tau$ is $2 \times$ an irrational number($\pi$), it is also irrational.

But here comes the big question, why waste another Greek Letter, to define it as $2$ times an already existing number?

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## More about $\large\tau$

$\large\tau$ is the $19$th letter of the Greek Alphabeet and has a value of $300$ in Greek Numerals.

Hi, I'm Tau and this is Capital Tau. I am $2\pi$ even though I look like half of $\pi$. Capital Tau looks like T, but don't tell him that, he has very sensitive feelings :)

The Greek Letter is used in many aspects of Math and Science, some of which are listed below -

• Used to represent the Golden ratio (1.618...), although $\phi$(phi) is more common.

• Represents Divisor function in number theory, also denoted $\text{d}$ or $\sigma_{0}$.

• Tau is an elementary particle in particle physics.

• Tau in astronomy is a measure of optical depth, or how much sunlight cannot penetrate the atmosphere.

• It is the symbol for tortuosity in hydro-geology.

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## Advantages of $\large\tau$

$\pi$ is found in many of the famous formula's and identity. But sometimes, $\pi$ is preceded by a $2$, and we all know by now, that $2\pi = \large\tau$.

Here are the well known formula's where $2\pi$ can be replaced with $\large\tau$, making the formula simpler and more elegant -

Integral over space in polar coordinates -

• $\displaystyle\int_{\color{#D61F06}{2\pi}}^{0} \int_{\infty}^{0} f(r,θ) \ r \ dr \ dθ$

Gaussian (normal) Distribution -

• $\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{\color{#D61F06}{2\pi}}\sigma} \text{e}^{\dfrac{(x-\mu)^{2}}{2 \sigma^{2}}}$

$N^{th}$ roots of unity -

A picture of Tau celebrating its many advantages

• $z^{n} = 1 ⇒ z = e^{\dfrac{\color{#D61F06}{2\pi} \color{#333333}i}{n}}$

Cauchy's Integral Formula -

• $f(a) = \dfrac{1}{\color{#D61F06}{2\pi} \color{#333333} i} \displaystyle\oint_{\gamma} \dfrac{f(z)}{z-a} dz$

Fourier Transform -

• $f(x) = \displaystyle\int_{- \infty}^{\infty} F(k) e^{\color{#D61F06}{2\pi} \color{#333333} i k x} dk$

• $F(k) = \displaystyle\int_{- \infty}^{\infty} f(x) e^{- \color{#D61F06}{2\pi} \color{#333333} i k x} dx$

Riemann Zeta Function -

• $\varsigma (2n) = \displaystyle\sum_{k = 1}^{\infty} \dfrac{1}{2^{kn}} \\ \\ \ \text{ } \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ = \dfrac{|B_{2n}|}{2(2n)!} (\color{#D61F06}{2π} \color{#333333})^{2n}, \text{ } n = 1,2,3,......$

The Kronecker limit formulas -

• $E(\tau ,s)={\pi \over s-1}+\color{#D61F06} 2\pi \color{#333333} (\gamma -\log(2)-\log({\sqrt {y}}|\eta (\tau )|^{2}))+O(s-1)$

• $E_{{u,v}}(\tau ,1)=-\color{#D61F06} 2\pi \color{#333333} \log |f(u-v\tau ;\tau )q^{{v^{2}/2}}|$

I have highlighted the $2\pi$'s in red. If replaced with $\large\tau$, these formula's could be simpler. This is only one of the advantages of $\large\tau$.

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Another advantage that is very useful is in Trigonometry.

When dealing with Unit Circles in Trigonometry, we usually use Radians as our angle measure. As already stated, $\pi$ radians is a $180^{\circ}$ while $\large\tau$ radians is a full turn or $360^{\circ}$. Due to this, using $\large\tau$ is much easier.

When we use $\pi$, $\dfrac{1}{12}$ of the unit circle is actually $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$ Radians, as shown in the picture below. This is cause for major confusion.

But if we use $\large\tau$ all our problems vanish, and everything makes sense again. $\dfrac{1}{12}$ of the unit circle is $\dfrac{\large\tau}{\normalsize 12}$ radians, as shown in the picture below.

This really shows that $\large\tau$ might actually be better to use than $\pi$. Yet, we all have our weaknesses, so let's look at the Disadvantages of $\large\tau$ next.

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## Disadvantages of $\large\tau$

$\large \text{Coming Soon!}$

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## Representing $\large\tau$ using Limits

• $\large\tau \normalsize = 32 \displaystyle\lim_{n\to\infty} (n+1) \prod_{k=1}^{n} \dfrac{k^{2}}{(2k + 1)^{2}}$

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## $\large\tau$(Tau) vs $\pi$(Pi) Conflict

The Pi vs Tau Conflict is a very long conflict between people who love $\pi$ and people who love $\large\tau$.

It is a battle to find which of the $2$ irrational numbers is better and makes our calculations easier.

An illustration of the epic battle :)

The basic arguments given by both teams were as follows -

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$\large \underline{\text{Team Tau against }\pi}$

$\pi = \dfrac{\text{Circumference}}{\text{Diameter}}$ while $\large\tau = \normalsize \dfrac{\text{Circumference}}{\text{Radius}}$

A circle is usually defined by its radius and the radius is something that mathematicians are generally more interested in than the diameter.

The formula for a circle's circumference is also simplified with $\large\tau$

$C = \large\tau\normalsize r$

$\large \tau$ Radians is equal to $360^{\circ}$, while $\pi$ Radians is equal to $180^{\circ}$. This value of Pi makes it a bit confusing in dealing with Trigonometry using Unit Circles, but Tau makes it look like easy as pie (pun intended)

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$\large \underline{\text{Team Pi against }\large \tau}$

Pi has been around since a long time. The number Tau also has its flaws. For example - The formula for the area of a circle is made even more complex by using $\large\tau$

$A = \pi r^{2} = \dfrac{\large\tau\normalsize r^{2}}{2}$

Also, redefining the circle constant differently and replacing it will destroy the beautiful Euler Identity - $e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0$

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This conflict is as long as the amount of digits in Pi and Tau. I will not take sides and either number isn't necessarily better. This is only a fragment of the conflict. This conflict has been around for a few years and hasn't officially ended yet.

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## Related Wikis on Brilliant

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## Try some problems related to $\pi$ and $\large \tau$

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## More Digits

These are the first $100$ digits of Tau, but if you want more, go here -

$6.2831853071795864769252867665590057683943387987502116419498891846156328125724179972560696506842341359 \ldots$

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## Rate this Wiki

Image Credits - Thanks to https://www.wikipedia.org/, for the 'Visualising Pi' image, the 'capital and small tau' image and the 'Pi vs Tau' image and to https://tauday.com/tau-manifesto for the Unit Circle images in 'Advantages of Tau'.

Note by Percy Jackson
8 months ago

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Sort by:

so tau is double the value of pi even though the symbol is half of pi interesting

- 8 months ago

Yes, a fun fact @Nathan Soliman :)

- 8 months ago

what do we use tau to calculate

- 8 months ago

Trigonometry graphs and functions that require unit circle method, because tau radians is 360 degrees :)

- 8 months ago

$\hspace{-50px}\color{grey}\\[-22px]\tiny\textsf{EXAMPLE}$
Sample Text

How? Please comment this in Latex Club @Páll Márton

- 8 months ago

Can you please update?

- 7 months ago

I've completed Advantages of Tau. Only Disadvantages left. It'll be done by next week :)

- 7 months ago

No offence, but when I first read your reply, it said you replied 3 weeks, 3 days ago.>:)

- 6 months ago

Yes, I am not the most punctual of people, coz i'm super busy. I know it sounds like a lame excuse, but I am focusing a bit more on my programming, so I am really busy. I'm not sure when this will be complete, mostly because I keep adding new things and get new ideas. Hopefully by october end, but I will make no promises.

- 6 months ago

Also, redefining the circle constant differently and replacing it will destroy the beautiful Euler Identity e^(pi * i) +1 = 0

Actually, with tau, it becomes even better, but yea

- 3 months ago

its the argument the pi-ers make. they're stupid lol

- 3 months ago

Agreed 🥂

- 3 months ago

You mean

'Agreed 🥂'

😁

- 3 months ago

Ah Italic, I forgot my commenting standards. Agreed 🥂

- 3 months ago

lol i meant the spelling :P

- 3 months ago

ups

- 3 months ago

I'm starting to think you're making errors on purpose lol

- 3 months ago

Heh probably; mostly it is that I type fast.

What conclusion does that idea lead you to though?

- 3 months ago

It sounds funny when it's miss speweld

lawl

- 3 months ago

lmao yez itzz doezz

- 3 months ago

You're saving time by typing fast coz you have something to do? Or someone...🤣

- 3 months ago

Someone? to do? I wouldn't be here at all 😂 What did you think I would do first? To log in in her computer? 😂😂

Damn where does your mind go?

- 3 months ago

haha a lot of places lol

- 3 months ago

@Frisk Dreemurr - I'm making a wiki for fun :)

How is it?

- 8 months ago

- 8 months ago

Nice @Percy Jackson, I never noticed any note on the debate of Tau and Pi until today :)

- 8 months ago

Thanks, the debate is actually a pretty big thing :)

- 8 months ago

@Frisk Dreemurr - I added a rating system LOL :)

- 8 months ago

does it have a number count

- 8 months ago

What? @Nathan Soliman

- 8 months ago

the rating system

- 8 months ago

No, its just for fun :)

- 8 months ago

do you want to hear something stanley hudson said?

- 8 months ago

$\hspace{-50px}\color{grey}\\[-22px]\tiny\textsf{FEEDBACK}$
wow, you put a lot of work into that.
and i love the comments in the "rating" section

- 3 months ago

Thanks! I really need to take some time to complete this, but life isn't kind to you after 9th grade lol

- 3 months ago

Wait, you are in the ninth grade? You said me you were sixteen lol

- 3 months ago

Plus, I read your "discussion" in the answer to life, the universe, and everything

And to sum it all up

# eww

- 3 months ago

when you are married long enough, it would be more like 96 ;-)

- 3 months ago

Wait, what?

- 3 months ago

the idea is just lying back to back ;)

- 3 months ago

As in during labour? Why am I so oblivious to why you guys are laughing?

- 3 months ago

No, sorry, I had to laugh

It isn't good, but I am still laughing

- 3 months ago

;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

- 3 months ago

😂😂

I feel bad for anyone who experienced a divorce, even though I'm still laughing.

- 3 months ago

I still don't get what he means...

- 3 months ago

Couples when their "love chemistry" fades down, are not interested in doing that, they turn each other their backs.

As once a (smartest mthfker in the universe) man said: " Love is just chemistry that couples animals into breeding, it reaches a peak then fades away ..."

I heard he beated Zeus singlehandedly. The man's a certified god.

- 3 months ago

😂😂😂 (What did he beat Zeus at? Impregnating women? lmao)

- 3 months ago

boyfriend: hey meet you in chemistry class later

girlfriend: wait we dont have chemistry

Boyfriend: exactly

- 3 months ago

lol that's a savage break-up line 🤣🤣🤣

- 3 months ago

its from this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rolfwv1djjI

- 3 months ago

ya I've watched that one. nigahiga is one of the best yt comedy channels lol

- 3 months ago

Here is a funny scene from the office

Michael: this morning Meredith was ran over. I took her to the hospital and the doctors did everything they could and... she is going to be ok

Stanley: what is wrong with you

Another scene

Michael: during the weekend my father had a stroke

Of luck

- 3 months ago

...that is funny, but i don't get the first part...

- 3 months ago

girlfriend go:

# oof

- 3 months ago

yea well Ryan Higa has a peculiar 'talent' in making girls go oof lol

Erica : Why did you call me to the gym if we're just gonna sit like this?

Ryan : Because we're not working out.

'The Lazy Breakup'
--Ryan Higa 2015--

lmao

- 3 months ago

Cue the music

- 3 months ago

lol and the smiling ryan moving backwards on the treadmill lol

- 3 months ago

Boyfriend:could you not stand in my right?

Girlfriend: Why not

Boyfriend: Because I realised you are not right for me and that it’s time I left you

- 3 months ago

lol the face he makes at the end of each joke is hilarious lmao

- 3 months ago

Love all the jokes here 😂

- 3 months ago

lol you should watch nigahiga, its amazing!

- 3 months ago

Girls are so easily 'ewwed' by things...

- 3 months ago

I am sixteen. Life just gets harder from ninth is what I am saying.

- 3 months ago

Oh, okay

What grade are you in now?

- 3 months ago

Figure it out yourself, I told you my age :P

- 3 months ago

when they told us in school that we should enjoy our time bcs life will never again be that easy, i didn't believe it. but they were completely right :(

- 3 months ago

true that :(

- 3 months ago

on one hand childhood sucks cus i wanna be free and do whatever i want adulthood sucks because i am free but i have to start paying for stuff because my 18 year free trial of life has expired

- 3 months ago

lmao

- 3 months ago

Though you are limited by your parents to do what you want to do. Everything has its ups and downs :|

- 3 months ago

tau and pi is just a matter of definition, but the values are the same in every country.
what troubles me more is that a billion has different meanings in different countries.

- 3 months ago

@Páll Márton - I was looking at your formatting guide while making this, its really useful, thanks :)

- 8 months ago

BTW go to my feed to see my latest note on buttons. You can add that to your guide @Páll Márton

- 8 months ago

@Yajat Shamji - Look at this :)

- 8 months ago

I really like it. However, I am impartial to both $\pi$ and $\tau$ so I am neutral in this war/conflict.

- 8 months ago

I wrote that I'm neutral but I'm actually a Tauist LOL. Glad you like it :)

- 8 months ago

Tau-ist here too 8-)

- 3 months ago

@Yajat Shamji - There is an astronomy point in 'More About Tau' :)

- 8 months ago

Thanks.

P.S. $5$ stars!

P.S.S. I challenge you to find geometric sums and limits involving $\pi$ that result in $\tau$ and geometric sums and limits involving $\tau$ that result in $\pi$.

- 8 months ago

I'll try :) @Yajat Shamji

P.S Thanks you for 5 stars!

- 8 months ago

Done @Yajat Shamji, I added a few integral formula's that I could think of. I still don't have a limit though, I'll work on that :)

- 7 months ago

You know I'll make one...

- 7 months ago

I found some (but the result's $\pi$ so you'll need to multiply the entire limit by $2$):

- 7 months ago

I need something where I don't need to multiply actually. There are many Pi limits - Pi limits

- 7 months ago

@Yajat Shamji - I added a limit formula that doesn't need me to multiply the limit by 2 and do some crazy math, but I don't know its name.

- 7 months ago

no, the beautiful Euler identity would not disappear, since e^i tau - 1 = 0 (but I am a pie fan)

- 7 months ago

Its what they argue, its the truth. It may not be correct, but its an arguement

- 7 months ago