5 Lesser Known Facts About Srinivasa Ramanujan | Indian National Mathematics Day 2020

“Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.” – Shakuntala Devi

National Mathematics Day in India is celebrated every year on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan. He was one of the most famous child prodigies in the history of the world. On this particular day, the Global Child Prodigy team gives a heartfelt tribute to the genius, Srinivasa Ramanujan.

1. Ramanujan, The Mathematical Prodigy Was Born In A Small Town – National Mathematics Day special

Srinivasa Ramanujan was born in a small town of Erode in Tamil Nadu on December 22, 1887. He grew up in a small house at Kumbakonam, which is a museum at present in his honor. He displayed advanced mathematical cognition as a child. Ramanujan was a child prodigy of his time and a mathematical genius. Despite having very little access to advanced mathematics exposure, he became a genius as a kid. 

2. Srinivasa Mastered Advanced Mathematics At The Age Of Thirteen

When Srinivasa was only thirteen, he could work out Loney’s Trigonometry exercises without any help. His affinity for the subject reached a new depth when he was just fifteen. Ramanujan came across mathematician G.S. Carr’s 1886 book, Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics, which had 6,000 theorems and their proofs. Moreover, he verified the theorems listed by Carr in the book and started developing his theorems at home. 

3. Struggles Faced By Srinivasa Ramanujan

As the paper was too expensive, poor Ramanujan often used to derive his results on a ‘slate’ to jot down his derivations’ results. He failed to get a degree as a young man, as he did not clear his fine arts courses, although he always performed exceptionally well in mathematics. It is not at all true that failure should be the dead-end in a person’s life. This genius man is an inspiration for all that temporary failure can’t ever decide your future. Moreover, never let minor disappointments come your way, and keep following your passion. 

But the genius, Ramanujan could not survive for long. He died at the age of 33, but he became the Mozart of mathematics even in his short-lived life. We can’t forget the greatness of this genius man.

4. The Famous English Mathematician, G. H. Hardy Was Impressed By Him – National Mathematics Day

Ramanujan got inspired by G. H. Hardy’s book, Orders of Infinity, and he wrote a letter to him. After that, Hardy became his mentor. G.H Hardy visited India, and brought Ramanujam with him to England. But, the English weather didn’t suit him very well.

5. The Taxicab Number, Known As Hardy – Ramanujan Number

Hardy once took a cab to visit Ramanujan, and the cab’s number was 1729. Hardy told Srinivasa that the cab’s number, 1729, was a dull one. Ramanujan said, “No, it is a very interesting number. It is the smallest number that can be expressed as as a sum of two cubes in two different ways. That is, 1729 = 1^3 + 12^3 = 9^3 + 10^3.” This number is now known as the Hardy-Ramanujan number.

What is the Global Child Prodigy Awards?

Global Child Prodigy Awards is the first and only award ceremony that recognizes young talents from different countries and backgrounds. The GCP Awards list includes children having extreme competency in their field of interest, such as mathematics, science, music, sports, acting, entrepreneurship, etc.

If you know someone close to you who is extraordinarily talented, such as Sir Srinivasa Ramanujan, make sure to click here.

Also Read : Viriya Rici, The Dancing Sensation Had An Exclusive Interview With Global Child Prodigy