Peking University, March 21, 2025: Rejoicing on a beautiful and warm spring day, Peking University celebrated the 15th International Day of Mathematics (π Day) on March 14, 2025, with math-themed games creating a fun and educational atmosphere permeating the whole campus.


The School of Mathematical Sciences held a celebration event on the square to the west of Zhihua Building, featuring a series of interactive math-themed games that attracted hundreds of students and faculty alike. The games challenged participants to find optimal solutions to interesting problems, such as "Find Your Birthday in Pi", in which gamers were asked to find their birthday sequence in π's decimals to win gifts like bookmarks and postcards. In another game, a life-size "π-shaped Sudoku" was laid on the ground and the challengers had to put number-bearing placards in the correct sequence.

Photo of the event

A similar celebration was also held at the Affiliated High School of Peking University, where PKU faculty and students put on a series of math-themed games and exhibitions, immersing the high schoolers in a fun learning environment. The event also featured lectures given by prominent PKU professors including Tian Gang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who talked about the origins and development of mathematics; and Sun Zhaojun, Associate Dean of School of Mathematical Sciences, who gave a brief introduction of the school.

Chair Professor Tian Gang delivering a lecture

At the Beijing Primary School, Liu Junjie, a PhD student from the School of Mathematical Sciences, gave the pupils a lecture discussing math concepts that can be found in every day scenarios, such as the mosaic patterns in bee hives, pavement, and tangram, sparking reflections and a keen enthusiasm in math. 

Written by: Wu Hiuman
Edited by: Phoon Hui Yin, Andrena, Chen Shizhuo
Source: PKU News (Chinese)