Mathematics: Bridge to Innovation

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“An equation means nothing to me unless it expresses a thought of God.”- Srinivasa Ramanujan. National Mathematics Day, on December 22, celebrates the birth anniversary of India’s famed mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Ramanujan’s genius has been regarded by mathematicians to be on the same level as Euler and Jacobi from the 18th and 19th centuries. His work in the number theory is especially regarded and made advances in the partition function. Since 2012, India’s National Mathematics Day is recognized on December 22 annually with numerous educational events held at schools and universities throughout the country. In 2017, the day’s significance was enhanced by the opening of the Ramanujan Math Park in Kuppam, in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The day is set aside to honours the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan. History of Mathematics Day. Ramanujan was born in 1887, in Erode Tamil Nadu to an Iyengar Brahmin family. At age 12, despite lacking a formal education, he excelled at trigonometry and developed many theorems for himself. Interestingly, after completing secondary school in 1904, Ramanujan became eligible for a scholarship to study at the Government Arts College, Kumbakonam, but could not secure it since he did not excel in other subjects. Ramanujan instead pursued independent research in mathematics. In 1912, Ramaswamy Iyer founder of the Indian Mathematical Society assisted him to get a clerk position at the Madras Port Trust. Soon after Ramanujan began sending his work to British mathematicians; in 1913 he received a breakthrough when Cambridge-based GH Hardy called him to London after being impressed by Ramanujan’s theorems. Ramanujan made his way to Britain in 1914, where Hardy got him into Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1917, Ramanujan was elected to be a member of the London Mathematical Society. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918 one of the youngest to achieve the esteemed position. Ramanujan returned to India in 1919 because he could not get accustomed to the diet in Britain. His health continued to deteriorate and died in 1920 at the age of 32. However, his achievements in the field of mathematics are still highly regarded across the globe. Mathematics: A Bridge to Innovation. The 2024 theme, "Mathematics: Bridge to Innovation," highlights its crucial role in advancements. Established in 2012, the day commemorates Ramanujan's groundbreaking contributions to number theory and inspires future mathematicians. His work continues to influence various fields, showcasing the power of mathematics in driving progress. This significant day is dedicated to recognizing his profound contributions to mathematics and highlighting the pivotal role the subject plays in shaping modern society. The theme for National Mathematics Day 2024 underscores the fundamental role of mathematics in driving advancements across science, technology, and innovation. It encourages young minds to explore the beauty and utility of mathematics, inspiring them to develop problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of how mathematical concepts contribute to progress in various fields. He made groundbreaking discoveries in number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions during his brief yet remarkable life, which ended at the age of 32. National Mathematics Day serves as a tribute to Ramanujan's legacy and aims to cultivate an appreciation for mathematics in educational curricula. Rather than focusing on rote learning, the day emphasizes the importance of understanding the subject deeply and recognizing its widespread applications in technology, engineering, economics, healthcare, and beyond. Schools and institutions across India organize activities and competitions to engage students, encouraging them to develop critical thinking and analytical skills through mathematics. Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate. On the other hand, despite the innovative work in the field of Mathematics many students in the Caribbean region continue to struggle and perform poorly in Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). Sadly, many Caribbean cultures have developed and maintained a phobia for mathematics. Unfortunately, this fear has transcended generations and now the annual regional examination bares testimony to the low performance in Mathematics among our students. This fear of Mathematics undoubtedly has forced many students to revisit possible career options outside of the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Jamaican students continue to perform dismally at Mathematics despite various intervention programmes. In the May/June 2024 sitting of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics Jamaican students' performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics examination in 2024 was low, with only 39% of students passing. The Caribbean region is now at a crossroads and therefore must interrogate why we continue on a path where teachers who are not schooled in the pedagogical capabilities are allowed to teach Mathematics. We continue to do a disservice to our students while hoping that by some magical solutions there will be improved grades in Mathematics at the CSEC level. Pioneering Contributions. Srinivasa Ramanujan's contributions to mathematics were vast and revolutionary. His work in number theory, particularly in partition functions and the distribution of prime numbers, continues to influence the field today. One of his most famous discoveries, the number 1729, is known as the smallest number that can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two distinct ways. Ramanujan's work on infinite series led to an efficient formula for calculating π, which is still used in modern numerical methods. Ramanujan’s development of mock theta functions laid the groundwork for modern modular form theory, while his insights into continued fractions have had a lasting impact on computational mathematics. Undoubtedly, more work is needed in the area of Mathematics so as to engage our students more meaningfully. In the words of Shakuntala Devi, without mathematics, there’s is nothing you can do. Everything around you is Mathematics. Everything around you is numbers. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #NationalMathematicsDay

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