Srinivasa Ramanujan was an incredibly talented mathematician who lived in the 20th century. Despite having had little formal education, he made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the areas of number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. However, there is a common misconception that Ramanujan was “afraid” of infinity. In this article, we will explore the life and work of Srinivasa Ramanujan and examine the reasons behind this misconception.
Early Life and Education
Srinivasa Ramanujan was born in 1887 in Erode, a small town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. His father was a clerk in a cloth shop, and his mother was a housewife. Ramanujan’s interest in mathematics began at a young age, and by the age of 12, he had already begun to independently study advanced mathematical texts. Despite his talent, Srinivasa Ramanujan formal education was limited. He only completed high school and failed to secure a scholarship to attend college.
Mathematical Discoveries
Despite this lack of formal education, Ramanujan’s mathematical abilities were undeniable. He began to independently study advanced mathematical texts, and by the age of 17, he had already made several groundbreaking discoveries in number theory. In 1909, he obtained a copy of George Shoobridge Carr’s “A Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics,” which he studied and annotated extensively. He sent some of his theorems to British mathematician G.H. Hardy in 1913. Hardy was so impressed with Ramanujan’s work that he arranged for him to come to England to work with him at Cambridge University.
Ramanujan’s work in England was incredibly productive. He published several papers on number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, many of which have become cornerstones of modern mathematics. He was also awarded a fellowship at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1918. However, despite his many accomplishments, Ramanujan’s health began to deteriorate, and he was forced to return to India in 1919. He died in 1920 at the young age of 32.
MOST READ:How Jeff Bezos made Amazon a $1.6 Trillion company
Ramanujan’s Mystical Beliefs
One of the reasons for the misconception that Srinivasa Ramanujan was “afraid” of infinity is his belief in the mysticism of mathematics. Ramanujan believed that the mathematical concepts he worked with were revealed to him by a Hindu goddess named Namagiri, and that these concepts had a transcendental reality. He often spoke of “the goddess” in his letters and writings, and many of his mathematical discoveries were made through dreams or visions.
This belief in the mysticism of mathematics may have led some to believe that Srinivasa Ramanujan was “afraid” of infinity, as infinity is often associated with the infinite and the transcendental. However, it is important to note that Ramanujan’s work with infinity was not motivated by fear, but rather by a deep understanding and intuition of the subject.
Why was Ramanujan Afraid of Infinity?
Srinivasa Ramanujan, a renowned Indian mathematician, was known for his exceptional mathematical abilities and contributions to number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. Despite his remarkable mathematical achievements, Ramanujan had a fear of infinity, which is believed to have stemmed from his strong religious beliefs.
Ramanujan was deeply religious and believed that mathematical concepts and equations had a divine origin. He believed that infinity was something that could only be understood by God and that attempting to comprehend it could lead to madness. This fear of infinity is thought to have contributed to his reluctance to work on certain mathematical problems and his reluctance to publish some of his work.
Furthermore, Ramanujan’s fear of infinity also led to a lack of confidence in his own abilities and in some of his mathematical discoveries. This is why he often sought the validation of other mathematicians before publishing his work.
In conclusion, Ramanujan’s fear of infinity was rooted in his religious beliefs and his belief that infinity was something that could only be understood by God. This fear led to a lack of confidence in his own abilities and in some of his mathematical discoveries.
Conclusion
Srinivasa Ramanujan was a truly remarkable mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics despite having had little formal education. While there is a common misconception that Ramanujan was “afraid” of infinity, this is not supported by historical records. Srinivasa Ramanujan had a deep and intuitive understanding of mathematical concepts, including infinite series, and his work with infinity was not motivated by fear but by a deep understanding of the subject. He had a mystical belief that the mathematical concepts he worked with were revealed to him by a Hindu goddess and that these concepts had a transcendental reality. Ramanujan’s legacy continues to inspire mathematicians to this day and his contributions will always be remembered.
Recomended Books you can buy them from amazon:
1. Ramanujan: The Man & the Mathematician (Great Thinkers of India)
2. MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY
