A small article on Srinivasa #Ramanujan for National #Mathematics day.
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"An equation has no meaning for me unless it expresses a thought of God". - Srinivasa #Ramanujan.
22nd December, Birthday of the greatest mathematical minds India has ever produced.

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"Our country has been a powerhouse in the field of maths since ancient times, with individuals such as Aryabhata, Bhaskara, and Brahmagupta.
Descartes. Newton. Al-Khwarizmi. Leibniz. These are some of the names that have come to make up the pantheon of

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mathematicians over the course of history. While they have been credited with fuelling the rise of mathematics as an important field of study, the basis for many of their theories was laid by early mathematicians hailing from Asia, particularly from India.

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Our country has been a powerhouse in the field of maths since ancient times, with individuals such as Aryabhata, Bhaskara, and Brahmagupta laying the foundation for the growth of mathematical thought across the world.

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One name, however, stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to India’s contribution to the mathematical world: Srinivasa Ramanujan. Hailing from the small town of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India.

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Ramanujan showed early signs of being a mathematical prodigy—signs that ultimately led him to embark on a journey that would end in him being named as one of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society at Cambridge, London.

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Over the course of his life, Ramanujan worked on & compiled almost 4000 results, nearly all of which have been proved right & which continue to be worked on even today. These results included solutions to math problems that were considered ‘unsolvable’ by most experts.
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His intense devotion towards mathematics colored every aspect of his life and found its way into his daily experiences, ultimately contributing to his success. While his life was comparatively short,

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Ramanujan’s experiences present a distinct set of lessons, which I believe can help improve our own maths skills and the system of education we practice.

A self-taught mathematician:

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Ramanujan’s dedication to mathematics was visible from an early age as he constantly looked to learn new concepts well beyond the level of education his school could provide. By reading maths textbooks borrowed from college students and the local library,

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Ramanujan taught himself complex mathematical concepts and interpreted them in his own unique manner, paving the way for his own unique theories in the future.

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This ability to reinterpret established concepts to make learning easier is a reminder to learners even today that thinking slightly outside the box can make any subject more engaging.

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Doing so also increases the chance of learner retention, allowing for concepts to build on each other and make knowledge acquisition easier.
Power of determination:-
Ramanujan did not obtain a college degree.

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In fact, he barely passed out of school as he failed every subject except for mathematics. This made it difficult for him to obtain a job and support his family. In spite of these disadvantages, he obtained his Ph.D. from Cambridge and was able to achieve grand successes.

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In fact, he barely passed out of school as he failed every subject except for mathematics. This made it difficult for him to obtain a job and support his family. In spite of these disadvantages, he obtained his Ph.D. from Cambridge and was able to achieve grand successes.

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Consequences of being mentored:-
Ramanujan’s journey to Cambridge would not have been possible, however, if not for the help of GH Hardy, a professor of mathematics at Cambridge & his eventual mentor, who helped him move to London and enroll at the prestigious institution.

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Many of Ramanujan’s most insightful works came during his tenure in London, with more than 20 papers being published in collaboration with Hardy over a period of five years. With constant support from his family,

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The Indian Mathematical Society and his mentor Hardy, Ramanujan bloomed into one of India’s foremost mathematicians, etching his name in history forever. Hardy’s mentorship becoming a nurturing academic environment for Ramanujan clearly shows that learners

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can achieve and surpass their own potential if guided in a proper manner and mentored at every step of their educational journey. Creating this environment is hence paramount to ensure academic success.

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Teaching life skills through maths:-
I hold Ramanujan in high regard for his intellectual capabilities and the contributions he has made to the field of mathematics. His experiences clearly show that mathematics has the capability

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to influence every aspect of life and impart skills that are universally valid. In fact, maths anxiety limits a learner’s ability to imbibe these life skills. Therefore, both teachers and parents alike must strive to help learners overcome their fear of maths.

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The learnings drawn from Ramanujan’s dedication to mathematics can benefit more than just maths students, however. Entrepreneurs, scientists, and individuals from a variety of fields, too, can derive meaning

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from Ramanujan’s passion, ultimately highlighting the importance of one of the greatest mathematical minds India has ever produced."

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