MIDDLETOWN >> Alex Hudson memorized and recited 1000 digits of pi on Pi Day, March 14. Hudson is only 13 years old and in 8th grade at Lake County International Charter School in Middletown. Pi is a mathematical constant and is used in many geometric formulas. It’s defined as the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The symbol π represents pi and it’s usually abbreviated at 3.14159 although technically its decimal representation never ends. Hudson recited 1,000 digits of pi two times, once in class and another time in front of the whole school at the Pi Day Assembly. Lake County International Charter School has a Pi Day event every year. “We usually start to prepare students three weeks in advance, but shortened that to a week and a half this year,” said Principal Gwendolyn Maupin-Ahern.
It took Hudson over a week of studying to remember 1000 digits of pi. She was determined to exceed the 300 digits she memorized last year. Teacher Andrew Vance encouraged his students to memorize 200 digits, but Hudson wanted to do more, so she looked up more digits and started studying on her own. Classmate Mayi Kumari said, “She wouldn’t take her eyes off of her sheet of pi. She was addicted.” Hudson’s studying technique was to seek out patterns to use as checkpoints. She would memorize four digits at a time and create a rhythm. Vance pushed her to work harder, in hopes to motivate her to do more. With a smile, Hudson stated, “He did motivate me to work harder, but I wanted to throw pie in his face!”
Classmates Jade Ruiz and Kumari said that, “the class was more nervous for her then she was.” Many students had their own sheets with 1000 digits of pi, so that they were able to follow along while Hudson recited the digits. “It was insanely impressive” said Ruiz, “she sounded like a calculator because she was so fast!” Even the younger students were fascinated while Hudson was reciting. It took her about 25 minutes to recite all 1,000 digits. The whole school burst out cheering when she finished. “Everyone went crazy, high-fiving, picking her up and cheering”, recalled Kumari. Vance declared, “You will never see this again in your life folks!” Next year Hudson hopes to break the state record and memorize 3,000 digits of pi.
Maupin-Ahern adds, “Alex is very bright and a leader in the classroom and for the younger students.” Hudson is above grade level in math, she is in Common Core Algebra, which is 9th grade math. Her favorite subjects are Math and Science. She likes math because she likes being able to figure out equations. She aspires to go to medical school and become a doctor or a surgeon some day.”
Hudson’s advice for anyone who tries to do this is, “start studying early and memorize every day, not just a few times throughout the day. Don’t take breaks or a day off until you’ve reach your goal.”
Learn more about Lake County International School by calling 707-987-3063.
