Mathematics is the study of quantities, shapes, space and probability of tangible elements in the universe. The function of a mathematician is to become prolific in this language and to add to mathematics. Hence, it would make logical sense if we defined what the term ‘greatest’ insinuates – at least from a mathematical perspective. Although the term ‘greatest’ is ambiguous, we can decompose this vague attribute to several tangible attributes :
- Being able to display an intuitive ability in mathematics
- Being able to produce work that would add to and form the building blocks to further mathematics
Therefore, the most fitting mathematician to this criteria is undoubtedly the autodidactic genius known as Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Ramanujan, born in 1887 in Tamil Nadu, was self-taught and he explored the field of mathematics throughout his childhood/adolescence years. In his letter to the leading mathematician, G.H. Hardy, Ramanujan articulated: “ I have not trodden through the conventional regular course … but I am striking a new path for myself”. (Ramanujan, 1913) Described as a raw genius by his peers, Ramanujan had discovered several fascinating mathematics using his ingenious, creative tools – most of which had already been discovered by previous mathematicians(analytic continuation of the gamma function) and some had been considered as novel (formula to estimate the number of primes below a bound). Additionally, he is known for his distinctive style – leaping from one interesting insight to another without concrete proof to fill the gaps( hindering the communication of his ideas to other mathematicians) and believing that the inspiration came from the Indian goddess Namagiri – adding to the enigma shrouding his intellect. Furthermore, to illustrate Ramanujan’s intellect, Hardy conceived of an informal scale in which “he assigned himself a 25, Littlewood a 30. To David Hilbert, the most eminent mathematician of the day, he assigned an 80. To Ramanujan, he gave 100.” (Kanigel, 1991)
Recognising his exceptional talent, Hardy invited Ramanujan over to Cambridge where they collaborated to produce over 100 different papers on various aspects of mathematics. A notable example is his mock modular forms which had no conceivable use at the time but is now being used by mathematicians like Ken Ono to compute the entropy of black holes. When Ono was asked whether this would be the last of Ramanujan’s contributions, his response was: “ I am so tempted to say that but I won’t be surprised if I am dead wrong” (Ono, 2012) – highlighting the significance of his work to mathematics. Moreover, Ramanujan was able to compute an estimation for the number of partitions – a problem that eluded mathematicians for centuries and had accomplished many other incredible feats such as his infinite formula to rapidly converge on pi – adding 8 digits with each iteration. However, many would argue that Ramanujan’s untimely death at 32 severed the stream of possible world-changing papers to come, which in turn places him lower than other great mathematicians of that era.
Despite certain objections, there is no doubt that Ramanujan’s genius is unquestionable. The true depths of his work is still being explored today in various other fields, and this shows the significance of Ramanujan’s work which is being unravelled as time passes on. Ramanujan encapsulates an original genius who can be compared to Newton and he serves as a symbol that mathematics is the only perceivable truth and is consequently accessible to an inquiring mind.
References:
Ramanujan, S (1913) Letters to Hardy – January 31,1913
Kanigel, R (1991) The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan
Ono,K (2012) New Scientist: Mathematical proof reveals magic of Ramanujan’s genius Issue 2890
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