Science Tuesday

3.3.09: Happy Square Root Day!
 - A rare event is upon us, touted by math fanatics as Square Root Day.

The holiday, 

which only 

occurs 

nine times 

each century, 

falls on 

Tuesday 

this time - 

3/3/09

(for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine).

"We have but nine of these days in a century, and hope all can enjoy a little math fun on Tuesday," said Ron Gordon, a Redwood City teacher who started a contest meant to get people excited about the event.

The winner gets, of course, $339 for having the biggest Square Root Day event.

The last such day was five years ago, on February 2, 2004, which coincided with Groundhog Day. The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016.  [....]

Gordon knows most people won't notice the odd calendar event, but hopes those that do get a chuckle out of it. "These days are like calendar comets, you wait and wait and wait for them, then they brighten up your day - and poof - they're gone." 

Another interesting tidbit about scribbling.