Mathematics is a fascinating subject that has been the subject of study for centuries. From ancient Greek mathematicians like Pythagoras and Euclid to modern-day mathematicians like Andrew Wiles and Terence Tao, math has always been a subject of great interest to those who are passionate about it. However, not all great contributions to math have come from professional mathematicians with degrees. There have been many math hobbyists throughout history who have made significant contributions to the field and it is worth noting their pure dedication and involvement.
Srinivasa Ramanujan
Srinivasa Ramanujan was a self-taught mathematician from India who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, despite having no formal education in the subject. Born in 1887 in the town of Erode, Tamil Nadu, Ramanujan displayed a keen interest in math from a young age. He was mostly self-taught and spent many years studying math on his own, working on problems and proving theorems.
Even though he received a scholarship for his later studies, circumstances like poor health to minimal interest in other subjects led Ramanujan to pursue the subject of his heart’s desire : Mathematics. His first few ventures with this decision were not promising. He sent numerous letters to professional mathematicians hoping to catch their attention but was left unnoticed. However, in January 1913, Ramanujan wrote the letter that would change his life. Addressed to G.H. Hardy, a mathematician at Trinity College, the letter was a composite list of theorems that Ramanujan had proved by himself. Even though many of these theorems were known to the mathematical community already, Hardy looked past these to find the few many that were new and purely fascinating.
Hardy took interest and decided to invite Ramanujan to Cambridge and work alongside him. Ramanujan's most significant contribution to mathematics is his work on number theory, which includes his discovery of the Ramanujan prime and the Ramanujan theta function. His work on modular forms and infinite series is also well-known and has applications in many areas of mathematics, including string theory and computer science. Ramanujan spent five years at Cambridge, where he collaborated with Hardy on several research papers. Unfortunately, Ramanujan's health was still poor, and he returned to India, where he passed away at the age of 32.
Pierre de Fermat
Pierre de Fermat was a 17th-century French lawyer by profession and mathematician by hobby, who is best known for his contributions to number theory. Regardless of his lawyership, Fermat was an avid mathematician and is often considered one of the founders of modern number theory.
Fermat's most famous contribution to mathematics is his "Last Theorem," however, his contributions go much further than it like his Little Theorem and Two Square Theorem. One of his significant contributions was to the progress of calculus, specifically finding maxima, minima, and tangents.
His true passion was for number theory, though. He was famous for making bold claims that were not supported with a proof and were just scribbles and mentions in books or letters. Nonetheless, Pierre de Fermat’s style is often compared with Archimedes. Both of these mathematicians were known for teasing other intellects. They posed questions that they had already solved and asked to prove theorems they already had. Many mathematicians still suspect whether Fermat truly was a great mathematician or just an educated guesser with some of his statements.
Pierre died in his fifties as one of the greatest contributors to number theory and mathematics in general. His profession as a lawyer was no barrier for his greatness.
Sophie Germain
Sophie Germain was a French mathematician who lived from 1776 to 1831. She was a pioneer in the field of number theory, and her contributions to mathematics have been recognized and celebrated for many years.
Sophie Germain was born in Paris, France, on April 1, 1776. Her parents were wealthy, and her father was a silk merchant. From an early age, Sophie showed a strong interest in mathematics, despite the fact that it was considered an unsuitable pursuit for a young woman at that time. Her parents did not approve of her interest in mathematics, but Sophie was determined to pursue her passion. She did not receive a formal education in mathematics due to the lack of support, but she was able to educate herself by reading books and attending lectures secretively. She was also able to correspond with some of the leading mathematicians of her time, including Joseph-Louis Lagrange and Carl Friedrich Gauss, by using a fake name on her letters.
Sophie Germain's contributions to mathematics were significant. She is best known for her work on Fermat's Last Theorem, which had remained unsolved for over 200 years. Sophie was able to prove a special case of the theorem, which helped to pave the way for its eventual complete solution. Her proof even contained the critical Sophie Germain Primes that are an important aspect of cryptography today. Apart from that, Sophie also made important contributions to the study of elasticity, a field that was of great interest at the time due to the industrial revolution. She was the first person to apply mathematical methods to the study of elasticity, and her work was later used by engineers to design bridges and other structures. Her most pertinent contribution, however, is the provision of brand new techniques and methods of proving which she adopted and introduced to the community.
Sophie Germain's legacy as a mathematician has been recognized in many ways. In 1831, she was awarded the Grand Prize from the Paris Academy of Sciences for her work on elasticity. Sophie Germain's contributions to mathematics have had a lasting impact, and she is considered one of the most important mathematicians of the 19th century.
Conclusion
These math hobbyists did not receive the orthodox education in institutions of mathematics. They still managed to make significant contributions to the field of mathematics and its community. Their work laid the foundation for many of the advances in math that we see today and helped shape our understanding of complex systems, number theory, and elastics. Their contributions demonstrate the power of passion and dedication and show that anyone can make a significant impact on the world of mathematics if they are willing to put in the time and effort.
Bibliography
Lea Morris, Rebecca. “Meet Sophie Germain, the Amateur Mathematician Who Worked on Number Theory’s Toughest Problem.” Massive Science, 23 Mar. 2021,
massivesci.com/articles/sophie-germain-science-hero-fermat/. “Pierre de Fermat - Biography, Facts and Pictures.” Famous Scientists, www.famousscientists.org/pierre-de-fermat/.
Rice, Adrian. “Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920): The Centenary of a Remarkable Mathematician.” IMA, 14 Apr. 2020, ima.org.uk/13780/srinivasa-ramanujan-1887-1920-the-centenary-of-a-remarkable-mathematician/.
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