The Pie Machine 314159
The modern Pie Machine 314159, November, 2007
The Pie Machine 314159 is a state-of-the-art virtual pie-baking machine running sophisticated Mathematica (v. 6.0.1.0) software. It has been programmed by our staff of highly trained mathematicians to bake virtual pies specifically for the AFL Dave's Mom's Thanksgiving Pie Thanksgiving-Pie-Guessing-Contest.
Because three is the closest integer to π, the PM314159 has been programmed to make a random choice of three pies from its vast database of recipes. If it is necessary to go into Sudden Death Pie Overtime, the PM314159 will bake additional virtual pie(s) as needed. Note that Pumpkin and Cherry will not be participating this year, due to the writers' strike. To show its solidarity with the writers, the PM314159 will not bake virtual pumpkin or cherry pie.
The PM314159 has also been programmed to emit Virtual Pie Utterances. When the Pie Utterance program is launched, the PM314159 will choose a random integer n within a suitable range determined by our Chief Mathematician. The PM314159 will then compute a decimal expansion of π, from which it will take a sequence of 3 digits beginning with the nth digit. The PM314159 will then virtually utter (i.e., print) "pie" this number of times. For example, if the randomly chosen integer is 4, the PM314159 will virtually utter "pie" 159 times (using the fourth, fifth, and sixth digits of π, 159). This is only an example. Our Chief Mathematician enjoys large numbers, so the PM314159 will most likely use digits from ridiculously far out in the decimal expansion of π. It won't be anything as wimpy as the fourth through sixth digits.
An early model Pie Machine, c. 1993
Helen Read