Researchers compute 60 trillionth binary digit of pi-squared

Two IBM researchers, with the assistance of the present bloggers (Bailey and Borwein), have calculated binary digits of pi-squared beginning at the 60 trillionth binary digit. In addition, they calculated ternary (base-3) digits of pi-squared, beginning at the 60 trillionth digit, and binary digits of Catalan’s constant, beginning at the 120 trillionth digit. Other researchers have previously calculated binary digits of pi itself, beginning at the two quadrillionth binary digit.

These calculations would have taken a single computer processor unit (CPU) 1,500 years to calculate, but the researchers managed to complete this work in just a few months on IBM’s

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Museum of Mathematics to be opened in NYC

A Museum of Mathematics is slated to open in New York City in the fall of 2012.

This organization was formed in 2009 by Glen Whitney, formerly the algorithm manager for the $15 billion hedge fund firm Renaissance Technologies. Renaissance was founded by James Simons, who, like Whitney, was previously a professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan. As of April 2011, the museum has raised $22 million from various donors, including $2 million from Google.

When it opens, the “MoMath” museum will feature exhibits that “stimulate inquiry, spark curiosity, and reveal the wonders of mathematics,” according to

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