National Mathematics Day 2021: Who was Srinivasa Ramanujan? 8 interesting facts about him

New Delhi: Mathematics is a powerful subject that solves all the equations including the most important theory of the creation of the universe and its component. Thus to encourage and practice the development of mathematics in our everyday life, National Mathematics Day is commemorated on December 22.

This day marks the birthday of legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Born in the year 1887, Ramanujan contributed largely to modern mathematics.

On this occasion, here are some interesting facts about Ramanujan:

1. Ramanujan was brilliant in mathematics from a very early age. He could solve advanced mathematics problems from the age of 11.
2. Ramanujan was inspired by the book ‘A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics by George Shoobridge Carr.’ Ramanujan came across this book in 1903 at the age of 15 years as he found himself engrossed in the world of theorems and proofs.
3. He did not find interest in any subject except maths. He also received a scholarship from college, however, had to be nullified as he failed in all the subjects except for maths.
4. Ramanujan came from a poverty-stricken background until he was discovered by R Ramachandra Rao, the secretary of the Indian Mathematical Society, in 1910. Initially, he was skeptical about Ramanujan’s intelligence; however, agreed to help him financially.
5. Several people advised Ramanujan to visit England for better opportunities. Ramanujan started writing letters of introduction to professors at Cambridge however, he faced failure. He thought that his letters were not polished enough.
6. Ramanujan kept his mathematical theories and ideas written in a notebook. One of these was the new series to represent 1/pi in a lot faster method than what was established then.
7. Ramanujan’s letter to the well-known English mathematician GH Hardy grabbed the attention. The professor was impressed with his talent. The duo began writing a letter to and forth that made Hardy invite Ramanujan to the west.
8. The duo became famous for their special number known as the Hardy-Ramanujan number. It is 1729, the smallest number expressible as a sum of two cubes in two different ways.