Lecture Notes: The Life and Work of Srinivasa Ramanujan

Introduction

• The lecture discusses the mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and his correspondence with Godfrey Hardy in 1913.

The Initial Letter

• Godfrey Hardy, a professor at Cambridge University, received a letter from S. Ramanujan in 1913.
• The letter appeared suspicious:
  • Sent from India
  • Author mentioned financial struggles
  • Claimed to be around 23 years old
• The letter mentioned remarkable discoveries in mathematics:
  • Infinite series
  • Improper integrals
  • Continued fractions
  • Number theory

Hardy's Response

• Hardy initially considered the letter a potential scam.
• Upon reading, Hardy was intrigued by the mathematical theorems included (11 pages with 120 theorems).
• Some equations were familiar, others were novel and complex.
• Hardy sought opinions from colleagues; they concluded the letter was legitimate.
• Ramanujan was not just exceptional; he was one of the greatest mathematicians ever.

Ramanujan's Background

• Born in 1887 in Erode, India, in humble circumstances.
• Eldest of five children; only one sibling (a brother) survived to adulthood.
• Survived smallpox at the age of two, a deadly disease that claimed many lives in India.

Conclusion

• The lecture highlights the significance of Ramanujan's work in mathematics and how he overcame challenging circumstances to become a prominent figure in the field.

Additional Notes

• Mention of contemporary art and investment strategies as a segue, but primary focus remains on Ramanujan's contributions.