NATIONAL MATHEMATICS DAY
Introduction
Srinivasa Ramanujan was one of the greatest mathematicians the world has ever known. He was not just a mathematician, but a symbol of pure genius, dedication, and faith. Born in poverty, without formal higher education in mathematics, Ramanujan made discoveries that still influence modern mathematics today. His life story is both inspiring and heartbreaking, showing how talent can rise even in the hardest conditions.
Early Life and Family Background
Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on 22 December 1887 in Erode, a small town in the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu, India). His father, Kuppuswamy Srinivasa Iyengar, worked as a clerk in a cloth merchant’s shop, earning a very modest income. His mother, Komalatammal, was a housewife and a devout religious woman who sang devotional songs at a local temple.
Ramanujan grew up in Kumbakonam, where the family faced financial difficulties throughout his childhood. From a very young age, he showed extraordinary abilities in mathematics, far beyond children of his age.
Early Signs of Genius
At the age of 10, Ramanujan performed exceptionally well in mathematics at school. By 12, he had mastered trigonometry, including advanced results that were usually taught only at college level. He independently discovered many mathematical formulas on his own.
A major turning point came when he borrowed a book called “A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics” by G.S. Carr. This book contained thousands of formulas with little or no proofs. Ramanujan studied this book deeply and began developing his own results, often skipping steps and writing only final answers.
Struggles with Formal Education
Despite his brilliance, Ramanujan struggled in school because he focused only on mathematics and ignored other subjects. As a result, he failed exams in non-mathematical subjects and could not complete college successfully.
He lost scholarships multiple times, which pushed his family further into poverty. For years, Ramanujan lived in extreme hardship, sometimes with no proper food, while continuing his mathematical work tirelessly.
Marriage and Hardships
In 1909, Ramanujan married Janaki Ammal, who was very young at the time, according to the customs of that era. His financial condition remained poor, and he often depended on friends for support.
Despite these difficulties, Ramanujan continued filling notebooks with deep mathematical ideas, often working late into the night. He believed that his ideas were inspired by the goddess Namagiri, whom he worshipped deeply.
Journey to Recognition
Ramanujan sent his mathematical results to several professors in India, but most failed to understand the depth of his work. Finally, in 1913, he wrote a letter to Professor G.H. Hardy at the University of Cambridge, England, including some of his results.
Hardy immediately recognized Ramanujan’s extraordinary talent. He later said:
“I had never seen anything like them before.”
With Hardy’s support, Ramanujan was invited to Cambridge University in 1914.
Life in Cambridge
At Cambridge, Ramanujan collaborated closely with G.H. Hardy and J.E. Littlewood. Despite cultural shock, cold weather, and poor health, he produced some of the most remarkable work of his life.
His contributions covered areas such as:
Number Theory
Infinite series
Continued fractions
Partition functions
Modular forms
Many of his formulas were completely new and later proved to be correct.
Major Contributions to Mathematics
Some of Ramanujan’s most famous contributions include:
Ramanujan Series for π
Partition Formula (with Hardy)
Tau Function
Mock Theta Functions
Results on highly composite numbers
Even today, mathematicians continue to study his notebooks and find new meanings in his work.
Recognition and Honors
In 1918, Ramanujan achieved two great honors:
He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
He became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
These were extraordinary achievements, especially for an Indian mathematician of that time.
Illness and Return to India
Ramanujan’s health deteriorated severely due to poor diet, harsh climate, and stress. He suffered from tuberculosis and other complications. In 1919, he returned to India, hoping to recover.
Unfortunately, his health did not improve.
Death
Srinivasa Ramanujan passed away on 26 April 1920, at the young age of 32. The mathematical world lost one of its brightest minds far too early.
Legacy and Influence
Although Ramanujan lived a short life, his impact is timeless. His notebooks continue to inspire mathematicians worldwide. Modern fields like string theory, cryptography, and computer science use ideas connected to his work.
India celebrates National Mathematics Day on 22 December, his birthday, in his honor.
Conclusion
Srinivasa Ramanujan’s life teaches us that true talent knows no boundaries. Without formal training, wealth, or resources, he reached the heights of mathematical greatness. His journey from a small town in India to the halls of Cambridge University remains one of the most inspiring stories in the history of science.
“An equation for me has no meaning unless it expresses a thought of God.”
— Srinivasa Ramanujan
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