Odd definitions

Reading a report on Language Log about baffling official definitions, there was the recent account of the Federal Government's decision to designate crocodiles as fish so as to cover them under existing export laws. On a more interesting note, however, was the attempt, in 1897, by lawmakers in Indiana, USA to define both pi and √2. Not only that, but they defined √2 as (10/7) [1.429] and pi as (16/√3), (2 x √(5/6)), (16 x √2/7) and (16/5). That's [9.24], [3.236], [3.232] & [3.2] respectively. Stupid turn-of-the-century Indianans. See this look at it.