National Mathematics Day 2023: Date, Timeline, History and Significance

Every year on December 22, the nation reveres the brilliance of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the greatest mathematicians in history, as National Mathematics Day (NMD). This significant day serves as a tribute to Ramanujan’s unparalleled contributions to the field of mathematics and promotes the awareness of the subject’s importance. 125th Birth Anniversary of Ramanujan celebrates this year.

National Mathematics Day: Timeline of events

Know about Srinivasa Ramanujan’s life and his works in the timeline given here.

• 1887: The great mathematician was born on this day in Tamil Nadu’s Erode to a Brahmin Iyengar family. Since his childhood days, he had a liking for mathematics which led him to master trigonometry at the age of 12. He was also eligible for a scholarship at the Government Arts College in Kumbakonam.
• 1912: Srinivasa Ramanujan started to work as a clerk in Madras Port Trust in 1912. There, his mathematics genius was recognized by some of his colleagues and one of them referred him to Professor GH Hardy of Trinity College, Cambridge University. He met Hardy in 1913, after which he went to Trinity College.
• 1916: This year the Ramanujan received his Bachelor in Science degree. After this, he published several papers on his subject with Hardy’s help.
• 1917: Ramanujan was elected to the London Mathematical Society.
• 1918: The great mathematician was elected to the prestigious Royal Society for his research on Elliptic Functions and theory of numbers. He was also the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of the Trinity College.
• 1919: Ramanujan returned to India.
• 1920: On April 26, he breathed his last owing to deteriorating health. He was just 32 years old.

Historical Background of National Mathematics Day

The genesis of National Mathematics Day dates back to 2012 when the Manmohan Singh government officially designated December 22 for its observance. This day coincides with the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu. The year 2012 was further celebrated as the National Mathematics Year, emphasizing the profound impact of mathematics on human progress.

Srinivasa Ramanujan: A Mathematical Prodigy

Ramanujan’s mathematical prowess manifested at a remarkably young age. By 12, he delved into Trigonometry, and at 15, he acquired George Shoobridge Carr’s “Synopsis of Elementary Results in Pure and Applied Mathematics.” His groundbreaking work spanned Riemann series, hypergeometric series, elliptic integrals, continued fractions, and functional equations of the zeta function.

In 1911, Ramanujan marked his entry into the mathematical arena by publishing his first paper in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. His scholarly journey led him to receive a B.A. degree by research at Cambridge University in 1916. Despite facing hardships and poverty in his early life, Ramanujan left an indelible mark on mathematics, leaving behind approximately 4,000 original theorems.

Significance of National Mathematics Day

National Mathematics Day aims to propagate the significance of mathematics in various aspects of life and illuminate Ramanujan’s remarkable contributions. On this occasion, the focus extends beyond textbooks, encouraging children to embrace critical thinking and logical reasoning, mirroring Ramanujan’s unconventional path of learning.

Educational institutions actively participate in the celebrations, organizing competitions, Olympiads, and other events to engage students and foster a love for mathematics. The day serves as a reminder of India’s rich mathematical heritage, featuring luminaries like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Mahavira, and Bhaskara II.

Questions Related to Exams

1. What is National Mathematics Day (NMD)?

Ans. National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22 each year to honor the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. It serves as a tribute to his extraordinary contributions to the field of mathematics and aims to raise awareness about the importance of mathematics.

2. Why is December 22 chosen for National Mathematics Day?

Ans. December 22 marks the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, born in 1887 in Erode, Tamil Nadu. The day was officially designated as National Mathematics Day by the Manmohan Singh government in 2012.

3. What events led to the establishment of National Mathematics Day?

Ans. In 2012, the government declared December 22 as National Mathematics Day and celebrated the entire year as the National Mathematics Year. This initiative aimed to highlight the profound impact of mathematics on human progress and commemorate Srinivasa Ramanujan’s legacy.