Mathematical Problem
The biblical description that the bowl has a diameter of 10 cubits and a circumference of 30 cubits suggest that the Bible defines pi as equal to 3, rather than the correct value of approximately 3.14159. Rabbi Nehemiah argues that the Bible is not claiming that pi equals 3. Instead, Nehemiah argues that the diameter was measure to the outside, while the circumference was measure along the inside. After accounting for the width of the brim, this results in the correct value of pi.
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