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Srinivasa Ramanujan

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114 views3 pages

Srinivasa Ramanujan

hi

Uploaded by

Saravanan Tm
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) was one of the most remarkable mathematicians in history.

Born into a modest Tamil Brahmin family in Erode, India, he demonstrated exceptional
mathematical talent from an early age despite having little formal education in mathematics.

Early Life and Education

 Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887, in Erode and grew up in Kumbakonam,
Tamil Nadu.
 His love for mathematics began in his teenage years when he came across the book "A
Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics" by G. S. Carr. This
book inspired him to explore mathematical problems and develop his theories.
 His lack of interest in other subjects led to academic struggles. He failed his college
exams twice because he focused solely on mathematics.

Mathematical Work

Ramanujan worked extensively in areas like number theory, infinite series, and continued
fractions. Many of his discoveries were highly original and often ahead of their time.

Key Contributions

1. Number Theory
o He discovered highly original results about partitions of numbers, modular forms,
and prime numbers.
o Ramanujan's formula for calculating partitions is still used in combinatorics.
2. Ramanujan-Hardy Number (1729)
o The number 1729 is known as the "Hardy-Ramanujan Number" because it is the
smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two distinct ways:
1729=13+123=93+1031729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3
3. Mock Theta Functions
o Ramanujan introduced the concept of mock theta functions, which became an
important area of research in modern mathematics, particularly in string theory
and black hole physics.
4. Continued Fractions
o He made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of continued fractions, which
had applications in approximations and computational techniques.
5. Infinite Series
o Ramanujan provided some of the most elegant and efficient formulas for
calculating π (pi), such as:
1π=229801∑n=0∞(4n)!(1103+26390n)(n!)43964n\frac{1}{\pi} =
\frac{2\sqrt{2}}{9801} \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(4n)!(1103 +
26390n)}{(n!)^4 396^{4n}}
Life in Cambridge

 In 1913, Ramanujan sent a letter filled with his mathematical results to G. H. Hardy, a
renowned mathematician at the University of Cambridge. Hardy immediately recognized
his genius.
 Ramanujan moved to Cambridge in 1914, where he collaborated with Hardy. Together,
they published several influential papers.
 Hardy later rated Ramanujan's mathematical ability as "one of the greatest natural
mathematicians of all time," comparing him to greats like Euler and Gauss.

Personal Challenges

 Ramanujan faced significant challenges during his time in England, including:


o Poor health due to the cold climate and lack of proper nutrition (he was a strict
vegetarian).
o Homesickness and cultural isolation.
o Illnesses, likely exacerbated by stress and poor living conditions.

Return to India and Early Death

 Ramanujan returned to India in 1919 after his health deteriorated. Despite his illness, he
continued his mathematical work until his death on April 26, 1920, at the young age of
32.
 Even after his death, his notebooks and unpublished work have continued to influence
mathematics.

Legacy

 Awards and Recognition: Ramanujan became the first Indian mathematician to be


elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1918.
 Ramanujan’s Notebooks: His unpublished notebooks have been studied by
mathematicians for decades, yielding new results and inspiring future research.
 Ramanujan Prize: The Indian government and the International Centre for Theoretical
Physics award this prize to young mathematicians from developing countries.
 Films and Books: His life inspired movies like The Man Who Knew Infinity and
numerous biographies.
Impact on Modern Mathematics

Ramanujan's work has applications in:

 Physics: In string theory and black hole thermodynamics.


 Cryptography: In modular forms and number theory.
 Computer Science: In algorithms and numerical methods.

Ramanujan remains a symbol of the power of innate talent, dedication, and passion for
mathematics. His birthday, December 22, is celebrated as National Mathematics Day in India.

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