Every year on 1 September, first-year pupils set off to school. Once upon a time, Vasya was a first-year pupil too. His mother took him to school. He was dressed in a smart school uniform, and in his hands he held a bouquet that the boy gave to his first teacher.
But the excitement of the 1 September celebration soon gave way to a dislike of school. Vasya didn't enjoy learning. Mathematics was difficult for him.
Study mathematics, son — it's a very important science.
His mother told him.
It's not important at all. What do I need it for?
Vasya said.
Mathematics is all around us. Imagine you go into a shop and want to buy a chocolate bar. You need to pay money. But how will you count it without mathematics?
I'll give the money to the shopkeeper and he'll count it himself.
The shopkeeper might cheat you and take more than necessary.
Why would he want to do that?
To keep the money for himself instead of putting it in the till. And when you grow up, you might want to become an accountant, an engineer or a programmer. But you can't do without mathematics in these fields.
Vasya thought about what he wanted to be in the future. But whilst he was at primary school, he still couldn't decide what to become.
In Year 7, Vasya had a new subject at school — technical drawing. The boy simply fell in love with it. He enjoyed making drawings so much. He drew everything he saw. That's when he realised he wanted to become an engineer.
But he still couldn't get on with mathematics. When the children were learning about the number Pi in class, Vasya was busy with his drawings. The teacher scolded him for it.
The number Pi is an important constant. Everyone must know it.
The mathematics teacher scolded.
I personally don't need this value at all. I'm going to be an engineer, and the main thing there is to be able to draw, and I'm very good at that.
Vasya declared.
In the evening, the boy sat down to do his homework and suddenly something incredible happened. Oh wonder! The number Pi jumped out of the textbook and spoke to Vasya.
So you think you don't need to know me?
The boy was confused and couldn't say a word.
But every engineer should know me. Don't you believe me? Do you want to check?
Asked the number Pi.
I do.
Vasya replied.
And then, instead of his room, he found himself on a building site. In front of him lay a large sheet of paper and drawing equipment. Everyone around called him the chief engineer and waited for him to finish the drawing of the house. After all, only with a drawing could they start building. And Vasya got to work. But in his work, he didn't do any mathematical calculations or account for any details. Soon the drawing was ready.
The builders got to work. Everyone did exactly as Vasya's drawing showed. But suddenly the unfinished house collapsed.
What kind of engineer are you!? What have you drawn for us here?
The builders scolded.
I'm sorry. I don't know why this happened.
Vasya insisted.
It's a good thing we weren't on the building site when the house collapsed. We could have died. Didn't you take into account the ratio of the circumference to its diameter, the number Pi?
Asked the foreman.
The boy just blushed in response.
I don't know anything about this value.
Vasya answered, continuing to blush.
What!? That's important. What kind of engineer are you then?
All the workers laughed at him.
Vasya ran away. He hid in a corner and began to sob. He cried for a long time, and when he was completely exhausted — he fell into a deep sleep.
When Vasya woke up and rubbed his sleepy and red eyes, he found himself back at home, and the number Pi was standing in front of him.
Forgive me, I never thought you were such an important value. I understand now. From now on, I will approach my studies responsibly.
Vasya began to study more diligently. He grew up, and his dream came true: he became a famous engineer. In his work, he always took all calculations into account and never forgot about the number Pi. On his desk, next to photographs of his children, there was also a small figurine in the shape of the letter Pi, which is known to all educated people, symbolising the famous number PI. And all the construction work carried out according to Vasily's drawings was always completed successfully.
Now Vasily himself strongly advised the younger generation to learn all constant values. After all, it's unknown in which field you'll need to apply your knowledge, so it's essential to study, study and study again.
