Srinivasa Ramanujan was an exceptional Indian mathematician, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. He is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to various fields of mathematics, including number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, despite having little formal training in the subject.
Ramanujan's interest in mathematics emerged early in his childhood. He excelled in mathematics at the Town Higher Secondary School in Kumbakonam but struggled with other subjects. At the age of 15, he discovered George Shoobridge Carr's "Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics," which profoundly influenced his mathematical journey. This book contained numerous theorems that Ramanujan not only mastered but also expanded upon with his own innovative ideas[1][2][5].
He briefly attended the University of Madras but lost his scholarship due to his intense focus on mathematics at the expense of other subjects. Financial difficulties plagued him throughout his life, compelling him to work various jobs while continuing his mathematical pursuits[2][4].
Ramanujan's breakthrough came in 1913 when he began corresponding with British mathematician G. H. Hardy. This relationship proved pivotal; Hardy recognized Ramanujan's extraordinary talent and invited him to Cambridge University. Ramanujan arrived in England in 1914, where he collaborated with Hardy on several significant mathematical problems. Their partnership led to substantial advancements in analytical number theory and other areas[3][5].
Despite facing cultural challenges and health issues, including tuberculosis, Ramanujan produced over 4,000 results during his short life. His work on the partition function and contributions to the theory of numbers remain influential today[1][6]. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918, becoming one of the first Indians to achieve this honor[4][6].
Ramanujan returned to India in 1919 due to health complications and continued working on mathematics until his death on April 26, 1920, at the age of 32. His legacy includes three notebooks filled with unpublished results that continue to inspire mathematicians worldwide[2][5]. In recognition of his contributions, various honors have been established posthumously, including the Ramanujan Journal dedicated to publishing research influenced by his work[6][7].
Srinivasa Ramanujan's life story is a testament to genius emerging from humble beginnings, and his enduring impact on mathematics continues to be celebrated globally.
Sources
[1] Biography of Srinivasa Ramanujan, Mathematical Genius https://www.thoughtco.com/srinivasa-ramanujan-4571004 [2] Srinivasa Ramanujan https://ramanujancollege.ac.in/departments/department-of-mathematics/academic-resources/ancient-indian-mathematicians/srinivasa-ramanujan/ [3] Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887 - 1920) - Biography - MacTutor https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Ramanujan/ [4] Srinivasa Ramanujan | Biography, Facts & Legacy - Lesson https://study.com/academy/lesson/srinivasa-ramanujan-biography-facts-quotes.html [5] Srinivasa Ramanujan | Biography, Contributions, & Facts https://www.britannica.com/biography/Srinivasa-Ramanujan [6] Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920) https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/srinivasa-ramanujan/ [7] Srinivas Ramanujan: Biography, Age, Wife, contribution to ... https://www.javatpoint.com/srinivas-ramanujan