Every day is a day for pizza pies at Tommy’s Pizza and Subs, but March 14 (that’s 3/14 for anyone paying attention) holds special significance as “Pizza Pi” Day. With classic and specialty pizzas whole or by the slice, and with more than a dozen toppings to choose from, pizza is a big part of our menu.

Founded in 1988 by Larry Shaw, a physicist at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, “Pi Day” is a way to appreciate the mathematical constant π and indulge in the deliciousness of pie—whether in the form of desserts or pizza—every year. It’s also a fun way to blend math and food humor for some of the nerdiest “pi” puns you’ll ever hear.

• Why should you never start talking to pi at a party?
  Because it will just go on forever.
• Why shouldn’t you eat too much pizza pi?
  Because you’ll end up with a big circumference.
• What’s a math teacher’s favorite Italian meal?
  That would be pizza pi, of course.

We’d go on, but you probably get the idea—plus we don’t want you to lose your appetite.

What’s the Big Deal About Pi?

Pi (π) is a mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It’s been known for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians.

As an irrational number, it goes on infinitely without repeating. While it’s been calculated to more than 1.24 trillion decimal places, we usually round it to just two decimal places, or 3.14, hence the reason for celebrating on March 14.

Without knowledge of pi (π), engineering, science, manufacturing, and mathematics would suffer greatly. Knowledge of pi is essential to accuracy in measurements and calculations having to do with circles.

Why Do We Celebrate Pi Day?

First and foremost, we celebrate pi day because it’s fun, given the obvious phonetic similarity between “pi” and “pie.” Everybody loves a good play on words. Celebrating Pi Day also offers a delightful opportunity for us to embrace a playful connection between mathematics and food. Whether that means indulging in a classic cheese pizza, a mouthwatering apple pie, or concocting intricate mathematical masterpieces, it’s a quirky holiday that reminds us learning can be as fun as eating.

Believe it or not, pizza and pi share a connection beyond the relation to circular shapes. You may not have realized, but when you’re dividing a pizza into halves, quarters, or even more intricate fractions, you’re essentially doing math.

Celebrate with Tommy’s

Tommy’s would love to see you gather with friends and family to enjoy some of our finest pizzas and celebrate Pi Day in style, one delicious slice at a time. From Margherita pies to our Hawaiian Special topped with Canadian bacon and pineapple to a classic pepperoni, the possibilities with Tommy’s pizza are endless and tasty.

You could also post some fun pizza facts or images of you and yours enjoying a pizza pie on 3/14 to mark the occasion. Remember to use relevant hashtags such as #PiDay, #PizzaPiDay, and #TommysPizza to increase the visibility of your Pi Day posts.