A two-day celebration on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan and National Year of Mathematics, organised by Nehru Children’s Cultural Association, was held at SASTRA University, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
Professor K. Kannan, Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences and HOD Mathematics, SASTRA University, inaugurated the programme. Dr. R. Srikanth, Associate Dean, presided. Forty-nine students of Vidya Mandir, Mylapore, also attended the programme.
Uma Nagarajan, mathematics teacher, Vidya Mandir, felicitated students and distributed Robert Kanigel’s ‘The man who knew infinity’ to them. Students visited Ramanujan’s house and museum at Kumbakonam.
Dr. Srikanth gave a lecture about Ramanujan and his works. He also explained the Diophantine equations and the works of Aryabatta, Chakaravala, Baskara I and II, and Leelavati.
He also talked about the importance of numbers in Hindu mythology, and gave details of Ramanujan’s Magic Square and its application in Padukasahasram. In the concluding part of his speech, he explained about Nasty Numbers and their characteristics.
