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Why is National Mathematics Day celebrated on December 22

National Mathematics Day 2024: From mathematical analysis to infinite series to continued fractions and many other theories, his works have been the foundation of many modern mathematical theories.

Srinivasa Ramanujan and National Mathematics Day

Srinivasa Ramanujan began developing his mathematical theories and published his first paper in 1911. (File)

Every year on December 22, Indians celebrate National Mathematics Day to honour the birth anniversary of a man for whom the world of mathematics was nothing short of magic. He is said to be the man who is said to know ‘infinity’. Yes! you are right, we are talking about India’s great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. He was born on December 22, 1887, in Erode Tamil Nadu.

From mathematical analysis to infinite series to continued fractions and many other theories, his works have been the foundation of many modern mathematical theories. Without any formal education in the discipline, Srinivasa Ramanujan scripted history not only in the homeland but also worldwide.

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Srinivasa Ramanujan began developing his mathematical theories and published his first paper in 1911. During his time at Cambridge, he was mentored by GH Hardy, a British mathematician who encouraged him to publish his findings in several papers. In 1918, Ramanujan became the second Indian to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

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In 1991, Robert Kanigel penned a biography of the Indian mathematician, which was then adopted in the form of a movie by Matthew Brown in 2016. The book and the movie adaptation give a detailed account of his upbringing in India, his achievements and his mathematical collaboration with mathematician GH Hardy.

Additionally, during his last days, many colleagues at the Royal Society claimed that Srinivasa Ramanujan was busy producing some of his profound theories.

It was India’s former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who announced to celebrate the day in the name of Srinivasa Ramanujan. Died at the age of 32 on April 26 1920, Ramanujan’s works stand tall and are relevant today.

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