Mathematicians Molly Lynch and Michael Weselcouch approximate pi to 3.14159 using Minecraft's blocky world, leveraging the game's Turing completeness. Their method, presented in a 2024 paper, utilizes a 'darts' technique where random events in the game function similarly to darts hitting a target.
The Darts Technique Lynch and Weselcouch implemented this technique by approximating a circular structure within the game using red blocks with a 'radius' of 11 blocks, surrounded by blue blocks. They generated random events using Minecraft creatures known as slimes and zoglins, which kill slimes. By covering the red circle with funnel-shaped blocks called hoppers, the researchers created a way to get a signal for each slime's death, allowing them to approximate pi.
Implementing the Algorithm The pair's goal was to make mathematics appealing to young people, and they thought Minecraft was a perfect vehicle with which to do so. Their method avoids translating complex algorithms into thousands of in-game instructions, instead using the game's built-in mechanics to simulate the calculation. With this approach, Lynch and Weselcouch demonstrate that even a blocky, discrete world like Minecraft can be used to calculate pi, making math more accessible and engaging for a new generation of students. As mathematicians continue to explore the possibilities of Minecraft, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of the game in education and research, enabling new ways to teach and learn complex mathematical concepts.
Source: How mathematicians use Minecraft to calculate pi
Domain: scientificamerican.com
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