Every year, on 22nd December, India pays tribute to one of its greatest mathematical minds, Srinivasa Ramanujan, by celebrating National Mathematics Day. This tradition started in 2012 when the then Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, announced it on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Ramanujan. The purpose of this day is to increase public awareness about mathematics and the significant advancements that have taken place in this field.
Srinivasa Ramanujan: An Early Life Infused with Numbers
Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22nd December 1887 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. He showed an early passion for mathematics, which led him to win a scholarship to the University of Madras in 1903. However, his interest in other subjects waned as he continued to immerse himself in solving complex mathematical problems, resulting in the loss of his scholarship the next year. Despite this setback, Ramanujan continued his pursuit and published his first paper in the Journal of Indian Mathematical Society in 1911.
Ramanujan’s Association with International Mathematicians
In 1913, Ramanujan initiated correspondence with British mathematician Godfrey H. Hardy. Their academic dialogue resulted in Ramanujan receiving a special scholarship from the University of Madras and a grant from Trinity College, Cambridge. His mathematical prowess earned him membership into the Royal Society of London in 1918, making him one of the youngest members and the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College at Cambridge University.
Contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan
Ramanujan’s contributions to mathematics are extensive and varied. These include approximately 3,900 results consisting of equations and identities. He developed unique formulas for calculating the digits of Pi and pioneered new ways for problem-solving, contributing significantly to the development of game theory.
The Legacy of Ramanujan: Ramanujan’s Number and His Book
In the world of mathematics, 1729 is known as the Ramanujan number. It is the smallest number that can be written as the sum of two different cubes in two different ways. Besides this, Ramanujan left us with a legacy in the form of his notebooks, one of which was discovered by George Andrews in the Trinity College library in 1976. The contents of this notebook were later published as a book.
Beyond Equations: Ramanujan’s Other Contributions
In addition to his work on equations and identities, Ramanujan made invaluable contributions to other areas of mathematics, including hypergeometric series, the Riemann series, the elliptic integrals, mock theta function, the theory of divergent series, and the functional equations of the zeta function. His ideas continue to influence these niche areas even today.
The End of a Mathematical Genius
Due to a long-term illness, Ramanujan passed away on 26th April 1920 at the tender age of 32, shortly after returning to India from Britain. Though his career was cut short, his contributions in the field of mathematics continue to influence scholars worldwide.
Trivia: Cinema Honors Ramanujan
Ramanujan’s life and work inspired the 2016 film, ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’. The movie portrayed his journey as a mathematician, celebrating a life dedicated to mathematical analysis. The film proved popular, keeping his memory alive and inspiring a new generation to explore the beauty of mathematics.