In this article we will know detailed biography of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the greatest mathematicians in Indian and world history:
Srinivasa Ramanujan: A Detailed Biography
Early Life and Education
- Birth: December 22, 1887
- Place: Erode, Tamil Nadu, India
- Parents: K. Srinivasa Iyengar (clerk in a sari shop) and Komalatammal (housewife, deeply religious)
Ramanujan was born into a humble Brahmin family. Though not affluent, his family valued education and tradition. His genius was evident early—by age 11, he had exhausted the mathematical knowledge of two college students who lodged with his family.
He showed a particular affinity for mathematics from a very young age. By age 13, he was mastering advanced trigonometry and developing his own theorems. A crucial moment came when he came across G.S. Carr’s "A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics", a book listing thousands of mathematical theorems without proofs. This book profoundly influenced his style: intuitive, result-driven, and based on self-discovery.
Struggles in Formal Education
Ramanujan was not successful in formal education. Despite his mathematical brilliance, he failed in other subjects like English and Sanskrit. He failed the entrance exams for university multiple times due to poor performance in non-mathematical subjects.
He joined Pachaiyappa’s College in Madras (now Chennai), but dropped out due to illness and financial difficulties. However, he continued developing his mathematics independently, working in isolation and poverty.
Early Work and Recognition in India
In 1912, Ramanujan secured a clerical job at the Madras Port Trust, thanks to a recommendation from Ramaswamy Iyer, founder of the Indian Mathematical Society. His mathematical genius began to get recognized when he started publishing papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society.
He sent letters with his work to several British mathematicians, but most dismissed them—until G.H. Hardy, a prominent Cambridge mathematician, recognized Ramanujan’s brilliance.
Move to England and Collaboration with Hardy
- Year: 1914
- Institution: Trinity College, Cambridge
- Mentor and Collaborator: G.H. Hardy
Ramanujan traveled to England with Hardy’s sponsorship. This was a turning point. Hardy later said Ramanujan was a "mathematical genius of the highest order," comparing him to Euler and Jacobi.
At Cambridge:
- Ramanujan worked on infinite series, continued fractions, modular forms, and number theory.
- His tau-function, mock theta functions, and partition function work are now foundational in modern mathematics and physics.
- He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree by research in 1916.
- He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1918—one of the youngest ever and the first Indian to be so honored.
- He also became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Health Problems and Return to India
Ramanujan’s health deteriorated in England, worsened by:
- The cold climate
- War-time rationing (as a vegetarian, he had trouble finding nutritious food)
- Possible undiagnosed illnesses (speculated to be tuberculosis or a liver infection)
In 1919, he returned to India. His health continued to decline, but he remained mentally active, sending papers and letters containing brilliant work even from his sickbed.
Death
- Date: April 26, 1920
- Age: 32
- Place: Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Despite his short life, Ramanujan compiled nearly 3,900 mathematical results, including identities, equations, and theorems. Many were original and later proven correct, while others became the subject of ongoing research for decades.
Legacy
Ramanujan's influence is profound and enduring:
- His notebooks, particularly the "Lost Notebook", continue to be a rich source of mathematical research.
- His work laid the foundation for parts of string theory, black hole physics, and modern number theory.
- Several terms and concepts bear his name: Ramanujan prime, Ramanujan theta function, Ramanujan graph, etc.
- His life inspired books, documentaries, and the 2015 biographical film "The Man Who Knew Infinity."
- National Mathematics Day is celebrated in India every year on December 22, his birthday.
Key Contributions to Mathematics
| Area | Contributions |
|---|---|
| Number Theory | Highly original results on partitions, prime numbers, highly composite numbers |
| Infinite Series | Formulae for π, special functions |
| Continued Fractions | General theories and examples of remarkable depth |
| Modular Forms & q-Series | Developed the theory of modular equations and mock theta functions |
| Ramanujan's Ï„-function | Still central to modern number theory |
| Ramanujan–Hardy Formula | For asymptotic growth of the partition function p(n) |
Final Thoughts
Srinivasa Ramanujan was a self-taught genius, driven by intuition and deep religious inspiration, who fundamentally changed mathematics. His story is not just one of brilliance, but of resilience, passion, and an unwavering belief in the power of the mind and spirit.
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