Srinivas Ramanujan (In English)

Biography of "World Famous Mathematician", Sir Srinivas Ramanujan. 

In this blog we will talk about the great Indian Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. "The man who knew infinity" So let's get started.

        Srinivasa Ramanujan, the great Indian scientist who gained name and fame as a mathematician. He was born on December 22, 1887 in a small village called Erode near Kumbakonam in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. His father Kuppuswamy Srinivasa Iyengar was from a poor, orthodox Brahmin family. He worked as a small-time clerk with a local businessman. His mother Komaltamma was humble and religious. The poor financial condition of the family also made it difficult to raise a child.

        Eventually, Ramanujan was admitted to the local primary school. The smartest boy in the class, his mastery of mathematics was unmatched. He could do mental calculations very quickly. Ramanujan was a wonderful child. Sometimes his questions got him into trouble. He was busy with his slate and chalk after school hours when other children were playing.

        In November 1897, at the age of 10, he secured first position in the primary examination in the entire Tanjore district. This paved the way for free education at Kumbakonam High School. Even in high school, he stood first in all math exams and won many awards. This impressed his teachers.

        A college boy lived in the neighborhood of Ramanujan. Ramanujan once asked him for his mathematics textbook. The boy gave the book but wondered why a school student needed a college book. Later he was surprised to find that Ramanujan had solved all the questions in the book. After that, whenever he faced difficulty in mathematics, he would consult Ramanujan. Now, he also got other math books for Ramanujan from college. By 13, Ramanujan had read a book on trigonometry from the library. He proved the unsolved theorems given in the book in his notebook. When he was 15, he obtained a copy of George Shoebridge Carr's Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics, volume two (1880–86). This collection of about 6,000 theorems sparked his genius. After verifying the results in Carr's book, Ramanujan went beyond this, developing his own theorems and ideas.

        In 1903, at the age of 16, he passed his matriculation examination. He scored first class in mathematics and was awarded a scholarship. He took admission in Overnmentation College. Even in college, he was engrossed in mathematics and neglected other subjects. As a result he got full marks in Mathematics and failed in other subjects. His scholarship was discontinued. He appeared for the exam again only to fail. This made his father very upset and he had to give up his college studies. Thus ended his formal education in 1906.

        His father was concerned by Ramanujan's passion for mathematics. She was married off at the age of 22 to make her aware of her responsibilities. His wife Janaki was then nine years old. Now Ramanujan started looking for a job. Although initially unsuccessful. Mathematics eventually proved helpful to him. From 1903 Ramanujan started noting down mathematical work in his notebooks.

        By 1910, he had filled two hefty books with his nuclear research of mathematics. He took these notebooks and P Ramaswamy Iyer, the founder of the Indian Mathematical Society. Ramaswamy was older and was impressed by seeing these books. He delivered a letter to Hiton addressed to Professor of Mathematics at Presidency College in Chennai (Madras). Luck for his good, the professor had previously taught in his college. He immediately recognized Ramanujan and gave him a recommendation letter addressed to Rama Rao, the Collector of Nellore. Because of his personal interest in mathematics. The collector made sure Ramanujan got a job in the office of the Accountant General in Chennai. After some time he got the job of clerk in accounts department of Chennai Port Trust. His monthly salary of Rs.30 improved his financial condition to some extent.

        Whenever he got time from office, he used to write research articles. These articles were published in the Indian Mathematical Society magazine. This made him famous in the mathematics circle of Chennai. Soon some professors and academicians came to know about him. With his recommendation he was awarded, from May 1, 1913, a monthly scholarship of Rs 75 in Mathematics from the University of Chennai to continue his research. At this time he had no university degree. On the advice of well-wishers, he decided to seek the guidance of some great mathematician. In those days, England was considered the center of mathematics. Ramanujan sent his 120 theorems and formulas to the famous mathematician Prof. Godfrey Hardy, Fellow of Trinity College, University of Cambridge. He then saw these notebooks received by mail and spoke to HTS associate professor Littlewood about them. They realized the genius of the author of these notebooks. Soon an exchange of letters began between Hardy and Ramanujan. Hardy arranged for Ramanujan to tour England.

        Hardy convinced Ramanujan to come to England. Local friends and well-wishers were ready to extend all possible help to him on his way to England. Meanwhile, Professor EH Neville of Cambridge University came on a visit to Chennai University. Hardy asked him to meet Ramanujan.

        With such joint efforts, the University of Chennai agreed to give Ramanujan an annual scholarship of £250 for two years. Hardy took responsibility for Ramanujan's visit and stay in England. However, his parents opposed his decision. Coming from an orthodox Vaishnava family, crossing the ocean was not a religious sanction. Eventually. After being convinced by well-wishers, Ramanujan's parents allowed him to go abroad. He reached England on April 17, 1914. Thereafter, under the guidance of Hardy and Littlewood. Ramanujan did systematic study and research.

          Meanwhile, the First World War broke out. With Littlewood headed to the battlefield, Hardy takes care of and guides her. With the onset of winter, Ramanujan found it difficult to cope with the bitter cold of England. Since he was an orthodox Brahmin and a strict vegetarian, he cooked his own food. He too felt lonely. Hardy saw in him a brilliant mathematician. It was because of his care and concern that Ramanujan was able to stay in England for five years. Hardy had become his true friend, guide and philosopher. After some time Hardy wrote a letter to the University of Chennai stating that Ramanujan was indeed a great Indian mathematician and that he had never met such a genius. After receiving Hardy's citation, the University of Chennai extended Ramanujan's scholarship from two years to five years. Matriculation pass only, Ramanujan was awarded a BA degree in 1916.

         During his five-year stay in England. He has published 25 research papers. This made him popular in the world of mathematics. Ramanujan was considered one of the greatest mathematicians of that time. in October 1918. The Royal Society of London made him a Fellow. He was the second Indian to receive this honour. Navy engineer Ard Ishji Khordashji was the first Indian to receive such an honor by Trinity College in February 1918.

        In 1917, Ramanujan fell ill and was admitted to a hospital. in the beginning. The disease was diagnosed as TB, but later, it was believed to be due to lack of proper nutrition and vitamin deficiency. Believing that the dry weather in Chennai would suit him, doctors advised him to return to India. Eventually. He returned to India in March 1919. Despite being treated with Janki and friends and well-wishers, though Ramanujan died untimely within a year at Kumbakonam on 26 April 1920. A bright star suddenly set on the horizon. He was only 32 then. He was recognized by mathematicians as a phenomenal genius since Leonhard Euler (1707–83), the Swiss mathematician, and Karl Jacobi (1804–51), the German mathematician.

          His research in mathematics, which he noted in three thick notebooks, is still known today as "Ramanujan's notebook". Later these also became the subject of intensive study. In 1927, the University of Cambridge got these research works edited by Hardy and got them published. Nevertheless, some of his research and work remained unpublished. On the occasion of Ramanujan's birth centenary, many of his works were edited and published by the Department of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. One of his notebooks was found missing. It was Professor George Andrews who later found it. He is doing research in the US and intends to edit and publish it.

           In 1988, the University of Cambridge and Trinity College decided to pay an annual pension of £2,000 to Janaki Amma, the widow of this "world-renowned mathematician". This pension was decided to be given for his research work in the University, services rendered to the Institute and his research contribution to the world of Mathematics.

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