The True Story of the Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1896 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	191 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Srinivasa Ramanujan was born in a small village in India in 1887. His father was a clerk and his mother was a housewife. Ramanujan showed an early aptitude for mathematics, but he was also a shy and introverted child. He was often bullied by his classmates, and he found solace in books and mathematics.

At the age of 16, Ramanujan left home to attend college. He was a brilliant student, but he was also very poor. He often had to go hungry, and he sometimes had to sleep on the streets. Despite these challenges, Ramanujan continued to excel in his studies. He graduated from college in 1905, and he soon began working as a clerk in the Madras Port Trust.

In 1913, Ramanujan sent a letter to G.H. Hardy, a famous British mathematician. Hardy was immediately impressed by Ramanujan's work, and he invited him to come to Cambridge to study. Ramanujan arrived in Cambridge in 1914, and he quickly became one of the most celebrated mathematicians in the world. He made groundbreaking contributions to number theory, analysis, and continued fractions. He also developed a new theory of divergent series, which was later used by other mathematicians to solve a number of important problems.

Ramanujan's work was not always well-received by his contemporaries. Some mathematicians were skeptical of his methods, and others were jealous of his success. However, Ramanujan was not deterred by criticism. He continued to work on his mathematics, and he eventually published over 300 papers. He died in 1920 at the age of 32, but his work continues to inspire mathematicians to this day.

Ramanujan's Legacy

Ramanujan's work has had a profound impact on mathematics. He made groundbreaking contributions to number theory, analysis, and continued fractions. He also developed a new theory of divergent series, which was later used by other mathematicians to solve a number of important problems. Ramanujan's work continues to inspire mathematicians to this day, and he is considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians of all time.

Ramanujan's story is also a reminder of the importance of perseverance. Despite facing poverty and discrimination, Ramanujan never gave up on his dreams. He continued to work on his mathematics, and he eventually achieved great success. Ramanujan's story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that anything is possible if we are willing to work hard and never give up.

Further Reading

* Srinivasa Ramanujan on Britannica.com * NOVA: The Man Who Knew Infinity * The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

by Dava Sobel

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1896 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	191 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE