On the rabbinical approximation of \(\pi\) (Q1386712)

The Talmud always uses 3 as value for \(\pi\). Maimonides explains this by noting that a coarse approximation was taken since the true value of \(\pi\) is unknowable. \{This is not an assertion of the irrationality or transcendence of \(\pi\) but a reference to Aristotle's theory that ``straight and curved'' form a pair of fundamental opposites, implying that the straight line does not have enough segments to represent all possible segments of curved lines. The unsoundness of this theory was first demonstrated by John Wallis.\} It is further shown that in theoretical discussions the rabbis have used more exact approximations in cases where the use of the coarse approximation would have violated explicit legal standards. A digression on number mystic is not to be taken seriously \{the use of letters for numbers cannot be found before the Alexandrian period; antique weights and measures show clearly number signs\}.