S RamanujanThe Great Mathematician

Last Updated: 25 September 2026

S. Ramanujan is a name reckoned by the World Mathematics Fraternity as one of the great contributors to Mathematics. He was born on the 22nd of Dec, 1887.

We in India celebrate this day as the Indian National Mathematics Day.

We, Mastermind Abacus, show our special remembrance on this day by publishing this write-up.

Srinivasa Ramanujan, the great Mathematician, is best remembered for his work on the theory of numbers, including pioneering discoveries of the properties of the partition function.

Ramanujan developed his theorems and ideas at the age of 15. In 1903 he earned a scholarship to the University of Madras. He lost this the following year as he neglected other subjects because of his indulgence in mathematics.

He was married in 1909. Then after he began searching for permanent employment, he landed up as a clerk at Madras Port Trust.

Ramanujan's Work

Ramanujan's papers were first published in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society in 1911.

By 1913 he began to be recognized for his work and started correspondence with the British Mathematician Godfrey H. Hardy. He was then offered a special scholarship from the University of Madras and a grant from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Although unaware of modern developments in mathematics, his expertise in continued fractions was far ahead of any living mathematician of the period.

His work includes the Riemann series, the elliptic integrals, the hypergeometric series, and the functional equations of the zeta function, and he invented the Ramanujan summation.

His work had gone far beyond the borders, and his papers were published in English and European journals.

In 1918, he was elected to the Royal Society of London.

Several of Ramanujan's works remained unpublished when he passed away. After his death, three of his notebooks and a bundle of pages were found. These are also referred to as the "Lost Notebook". The mathematicians are continuing to work on these unpublished results to verify them.

He left for his heavenly abode at a very young age of 32 in 1920.

However, he was not a public person. Contemporary mathematicians recognized him as a great mathematical genius.

What Ramanujan's Story Teaches Us About Building a Child's Number Sense

Ramanujan's genius came from an early, deep engagement with numbers – not from any single trick or shortcut. Most children will never be a Ramanujan, but the same underlying skills – focus, mental calculation, pattern recognition and confidence with numbers – can be built steadily in any child through consistent practice. This is exactly the thinking behind the long-term benefits of regular abacus practice.

Quality Ramanujan Showed	How Abacus Training Builds This in Children
Deep, sustained focus on numbers	Two structured 1-hour classes a week build the habit of sitting with a number problem
Exceptional mental calculation	Abacus-based mental math practice, progressing across 10 levels, strengthens calculation speed and accuracy
Recognising patterns in numbers	Regular, level-wise practice helps children notice relationships between numbers rather than just memorising facts
Self-driven curiosity about maths	Age-appropriate learning from 6 to 14 years lets curiosity develop at a child's own pace
Confidence to attempt difficult problems	Step-by-step progression through levels builds problem-solving confidence over time

Being Indian promoters of the Abacus Mental Math program Mastermind Abacus, we are proud of S Ramanujan, one of the Indian mathematical geniuses.

Our endeavor to help kids get over their math phobia, learn to do mental math, and develop a love for numbers is our small way of expressing our gratitude to S Ramanujan for his Birth Day.

To unlock the mathematical genius in your child, contact Mastermind Abacus and train them to perform Mental Math.

The above information about S Ramanujan is compiled from:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Srinivasa-Ramanujan

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why does Mastermind Abacus write about mathematicians like Ramanujan?
We share stories of great mathematicians to show parents and children what a genuine love for numbers can achieve. Ramanujan's life reminds us that strong number sense, built early, can shape a lifetime of achievement.

Q2. Was Ramanujan naturally gifted, or did he practice constantly?
Both. Ramanujan had a natural aptitude, but historical accounts show he spent years working through numbers on his own, often at the cost of other subjects. Sustained practice was central to how his ability grew.

Q3. Can an ordinary child develop strong number skills like a young Ramanujan?
Every child can strengthen focus, calculation speed and number sense with consistent practice, even if very few reach Ramanujan's level. Structured, regular abacus practice is one simple way to build these foundations early.

Q4. At what age should a child start building number sense through abacus learning?
Mastermind Abacus's program is designed for children aged 6 to 14, with learning organised into 10 levels of about 3 months each, so children progress at a steady, age-appropriate pace.

Q5. Does abacus training make a child a mathematical genius?
No single method can promise that. What abacus training can genuinely do is build concentration, calculation ability and confidence with numbers over time. You can read more about what the program covers on our online abacus classes page.

Author – Mr. Naveen Chowdhari

Naveen Chowdhari is the Founder & Director of Mastermind Abacus, a leading name in children's mental math and brain development training. By blending traditional abacus methods with modern teaching techniques, he has created an innovative system that enhances children's concentration, memory, visualization, speed, and overall cognitive skills. Under his leadership, Mastermind Abacus now provides worldwide online abacus classes and has built a strong global franchise network, making quality brain-development education accessible across the world.

Last Updated: 25 September 2026