Srinavasa’s pencil moved quickly across his paper. He worked briskly, rushed, with urgency, trying to get the thoughts out, and the numbers out of his head. Calculating, desperately searching for the answer, moving in circles around his desk covered with papers. Rubbing his chin, eyes to the ceiling, the electricity of his thinking palpable in the air.
Now he was stuck, lost, unsure, when he heard squeals of laughter coming from the pavement below. He looked down and there as the children ran off, he saw the forgotten skipping rope laying in its perfect design. The answer he sought. Infinity.
100 words
Srinavasa Ramanujan an Indian mathematician, who through his mathematical genius and ability to overcome myriad difficult circumstances discovered and gave the world new mathematical theories, many of which are foundational to current mathematical theorems.
His notebooks included 17 ways to get to 1/pi much faster and he worked out the mathematical series that included the elliptic integrals, hypergeometric series, and functional equations of the Zeta Function (The infinite series), which is used in statistical analysis today.
You can read a short biography about him written at the School of Mathematics and Statistics
University of St Andrews, Scotland
A 2015 movie The Man Who Knew Infinity told his incredible story and is one of my all-time favourite movies. I love math as much as I love words.
Friday Fictioneers is a place for flash fiction brought to us by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Visit Rochelle’s site and use her Wednesday photo as a prompt to write a complete 100 word story.
I enjoyed the story and the background information that followed was informative. Thank you.
Thanks for reading Sam! I myself felt an attachment to my little story, because it illustrated the genius of the man. I admire his abilities and what he gave the world. So glad you enjoyed!
Very good story. I saw that movie and enjoyed it. Those kinds of minds don’t come along every day.
Isn’t it a fantastic movie. I agree, not an everyday thing for certain. Thank you Ms. Jadeli!
You’re very welcome. Dev Patel is a really good actor!
Yes definitely agree. He’s acted in several highly acclaimed movies. A very talented man.
If only he could have been one of my teachers, I enjoyed reading this…. Mike
Thanks very much Mike! Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate your comment.
Hmm, the answer is often found in the simple unexpected things. Entertaining story!
Thanks Brenda. Yes, you never know from where inspiration arrives.
That was fascinating, Shelley! Who knew?
Thanks Dale. Amazing the people out there who do great things, but rarely are acknowledged. Thanks for reading!
Pleasure was mine.
What a fascinating story! I will have to find out more about this movie and this mathematician. Thank you so much for sharing this one.
You’re welcome Anne! So glad you enjoyed it. I find Ramanujan’s story fascinating too.
Just borrowed the movie and the book and literally watching the movie right now. Love Dev Patel. Fascinating story so far.
Oh fantastic! Enjoy. So glad I wrote that story and a bit about Ramanujun.
Dear Shelley,
Fascinating. One never knows from whence will come inspiration. 😉 I will have to look him up. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you for reading Rochelle. I too find his story fascinating.
Inspiration in a flash, I wished I had that talent. Nicely done.
Thanks very much! I’m sure you do. 😊
sounds like sheldon from the big bang theory. 🙂
Haha not exactly. Thanks Plaridel.
I’m not going to pretend to know what any of that maths talk is about – never my strong point! I’m glad people like Srinavasa were/are around to do that complicated stuff! Great stroy.
Thanks Iain. I’m sure you’re great at math. Math is a learned subject. Anyone is capable, though it does seem to come easier to some. Writing on the other hand requires talent, so you’re all good. 😃
Too kind 🙂
A perfect take with an interesting footnote. Nice one.
My story!
Thanks very much Keith!
Interesting and informative submission. Well done.
Thanks very much Sandra. Appreciate your comment.
Lovely progression to the story and fitting finale.
Thank you Joy!
Like Archimedes and his bath or Kekule and his dream
Inspiration can be found when one least expects it. The story flowed nicely and the children playing offered contrast.
Thanks for reading T. I agree, you never know what can precede inspiration.