Brief history

The day, which originated in India, is particularly focused on one individual. The reason for the celebration of Mathematics Day on December 22 is that it is the birthday of the country’s most esteemed mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Ramanujan was a mathematical genius of the highest caliber, born in 1887 and living under British rule in India. Despite having received little formal training in mathematics, he made significant contributions to the field, including in number theory, infinite series, mathematical analysis, and continued fractions.

Ramanujan’s original mathematical research and theories were developed in isolation, as his work was too advanced and novel for the mathematicians of his time to work with him. However, through correspondence with an English mathematician at the University of Cambridge, Ramanujan became more connected and eventually moved to England, where he became the first Indian Fellow at Trinity College in Cambridge.

Ramanujan’s life was cut short at the age of 32 when he died in 1920 due to complications from a disease he had contracted in his childhood. Even after his death, his contributions remained significant, particularly when a lost notebook of his was discovered more than 50 years later, in 1976.

Now, Mathematics Day is here to honor and celebrate the life of Srinivasa Ramanujan and his contributions to the world. The introduction of Mathematics Day by the Indian government occurred in 2011, in preparation for the celebration of Ramanujan’s 125th birthday in 2012. In the same year, the Indian government issued a commemorative stamp in his honor.

How it's celebrated

Mathematics Day is celebrated in various ways, depending on the country and institution. In schools and universities, special lectures, workshops, and competitions are organised to engage students in mathematical activities. Some organisations hold public events, such as open houses, exhibitions, and concerts, to showcase the beauty and diversity of mathematics.

Mathematics Day

Interesting facts

• Pythagoras was not only a mathematician but also a philosopher and mystic. He believed that numbers were the basis of all reality.
• Mathematics is used in almost every field of science and technology, making it one of the most important disciplines in the world.
• Geometry is a branch of mathematics that studies shapes, sizes, and positions of objects. It is used in architecture, engineering, and art.
• Probability is a branch of mathematics that deals with the likelihood of events occurring. It is used in finance, insurance, and gambling.
• Fractals are geometric shapes that repeat themselves at different scales. They are found in nature, such as tree branches and cloud formations.