Pi

[Kristoffer]

A record of measure.(that also happens to be Approximate!) The more accurate the record of measure, the better...So a Close approximation is what to look for.

So the answer is kind of Both, It has to be Aprrox. yet it is being used to measure circles, spheres etc.

π (yummy pi)

[zoegirl]

NO my point is...

Was the intent to BE as close to Pi?

[Kristoffer]

The intent was the measure things. It just inconveniently needs to be a good approximation to be of any good use or your measurements will be out by a bit(a tinkly little problem)

--actually the margin of error is not too high if you use 3.0 for your approximation, depending upon what actually needs measuring.

[zoegirl]

The intent was the measure things. It just inconveniently needs to be a good approximation to be of any good use or your measurements will be out by a bit(a tinkly little problem)

--actually the margin of error is not too high if you use 3.0 for your approximation, depending upon what actually needs measuring.

I can see the criticism of Pi if the order was to make a temple as close to Pi as possible, in which case they didn't do such a grand job.

If, however, the intent was simply to make a circle, then their concern wasn't necessarily to get to Pi as close as possible. All this shows is that it was a pretty good circle.

[Kristoffer]

A good circle... Well B+ These people shure was above average somewhat!

[The Protector]

Here is an explanation I found a number of years ago (it is a math website, not a religious one, FYI):

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/bibleval.htm

[zoegirl]

That's pretty cool, protector! Thanks, and welcome to the board. Hope you stick around and contribute.

[Different_Name]

The other explanation I had heard was regarding Significant Figures, which says that whenever you do calculations, you round so that you don't have more nonzero digits in the answer than in the original question.
For example, when doing the division of 2.3/5.9, instead of writing the answer as 0.389830508, you're only supposed to put 0.39.
And that was why the calculation of Pi ends up being 3 in the Bible, because the measurements only had 1 significant figure (in 30, the zero does not count for significant figures).

[Endwell]

See http://creation.com/does-the-bible-say-pi-equals-3. According to the text, the thing was supposed to be shaped like a lily. Every lily I've ever seen was flared at the top. Perhaps the diameter and circumference specifications are both given to indicate the degree of flare.