Pi is 3

"Pi is 3" is a misconception that the Japanese public once believed that, due to the revision of the Japanese Curriculum guideline in 2002, the approximate value of pi (π), which had previously been taught as 3.14, is now taught as 3 in arithmetic education. In fact, this is not true, and even after the revision, the approximate value of pi is still taught as 3.14. In the Japanese Curriculum guideline published in December 1998 and implemented in 2002, regulations such as the limitation on the number of digits for decimal multiplication were changed. Although the new regulations did not change the fact that pi was to be calculated using "3.14," they added the statement that "3 is used for the purpose." At that time, many people believed elementary school students were forced to hand calculate pi as "3", and believed that is a typical example of the negative effects of a relaxed education. This misunderstanding was not easily resolved.