Very interesting! When you say everyone is endowed with.....that sentence is a fallacy; 80% of the people are average and below AVERAGE; AND COMPARING SELF WITH SAKUNTALA AS EVERY ONE ,IS ANOTHER FALLACY; THE WORLD CALLED HER AS A MATHEMATICIAN; SHE DERIVED HER METHODS OF STEPS TO GET THE ANSWER, EVEN IN 13RTH ROOT, SO, AS RAMANUJAM WROTE IN ONE LINE ANSWER, she was able to maths. It is not memory power. or muscle power. It is a prodigy as Ramanujam or Einstein. Lets respect few people who were genius and lets not derive a statement of fallacy Thank you KR IRS 181225
On Wed, 17 Dec 2025 at 20:38, Yeddanapudi Markandeyulu < [email protected]> wrote: > Everyone is differently endowed.In her own way she was remarkable and > brilliant.But Ramajunan belongs to the league of Einstein's.Einsteins > happen once in a century. > YMS > > On Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> She did mainly 2 books; one about the homosexual because she found her >> husband to be that later after the marriage and disappointment in life made >> her write the book. Another about the numbers mystery Joy of numbers which >> would show how she derived on her own short routes for phase of derivation >> which she did mention. Even Ramanujan did a one line answer by calculating >> in mind. Her memory power was sited right as a kid and developed not only >> in Maths, but applied the maths to astrology which she learnt later. SO ONE >> CANNOT CALL IT AS A FLUKE OR BY MEMORY ENTERTAINER. ASHATAVADHANI WAS >> NEVER AN ENTERTAINER. As a matter of fact she taught the methods of >> derivation by training daughter and she also went well ahead. Vedas do have >> shulva sutras and how big multiplications or divisions etc can be done by >> transfer of the digits and in 2 steps deriving the right answer. Ofcourse >> she when questioned expressed her ignorance about the vedic maths. Hence >> she is a prodigy. There were too many on earth and 80% of them did not >> invent anything but applied maths. So sakuntala is not an entertainer like >> pack of cards magician. World ack her talents. K R IRS 161225 >> >> On Tue, 16 Dec 2025 at 15:15, Dr Sundar <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I am still confused as to whether she was a Mathematician or an >>> Entertainer. >>> She did not derive any theorem that could have made such calculations >>> easier and simpler for thousands of youngsters in India. In short she could >>> not even understand the secret of her talent. >>> To compare her with Ramajunan or other mathematicians , i think, would >>> be sacrilege. >>> Yes,she was blessed with a great memory >>> namaskaram >>> >>> >>> *"KNOW THYSELF .* >>> *SELF KNOWLEDGE IS REAL KNOWLEDGE.* >>> *ALL OTHER KNOWLEDGE IS IGNORANCE AND THEY ARE NO KNOWLEDGE " * >>> *~~~ Bhagavan Ramana* >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 1:20 PM Yeddanapudi Markandeyulu < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Shakuntala Devi and Srinivasa Ramanujan are often mentioned together >>>> because both were Indian numerical prodigies—but *their genius, >>>> contributions, and places in mathematics are fundamentally different*. >>>> Comparing them carefully helps avoid a very common misunderstanding. >>>> >>>> Below is a *clear, respectful, side-by-side comparison*. >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 1. Nature of genius*Shakuntala Devi* >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Genius in *mental computation and numerical intuition* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Excelled at *speed, accuracy, and pattern recognition* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Mathematics as *performance, play, and pedagogy* >>>> >>>> *Srinivasa Ramanujan* >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Genius in *abstract mathematical creation* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Excelled at *discovering deep, original structures* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Mathematics as *theory, proof, and discovery* >>>> >>>> *Key difference:* >>>> >>>> Devi mastered *existing mathematics* in astonishing ways; Ramanujan >>>> *created >>>> new mathematics*. >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 2. Type of mathematical contribution >>>> Aspect Shakuntala Devi Ramanujan >>>> New theorems ❌ No ✅ Hundreds >>>> Formal proofs ❌ No ⚠️ Rare (but ideas were original) >>>> New formulas ❌ No ✅ Yes >>>> Research impact ❌ None ✅ Enormous >>>> Educational impact ✅ Very high ⚠️ Limited during life >>>> >>>> Ramanujan’s formulas are still used today in: >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Number theory >>>> - >>>> >>>> Modular forms >>>> - >>>> >>>> Partition theory >>>> - >>>> >>>> Mathematical physics >>>> >>>> Shakuntala Devi’s work impacted: >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Math education >>>> - >>>> >>>> Public engagement >>>> - >>>> >>>> Cognitive understanding of calculation >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 3. Relationship with formal mathematicsShakuntala Devi >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Largely *self-trained* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Did not work within academic mathematics >>>> - >>>> >>>> Focused on *practical arithmetic and puzzles* >>>> >>>> Ramanujan >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Also largely *self-taught* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Worked at the *frontiers of pure mathematics* >>>> - >>>> >>>> Collaborated with Hardy at Cambridge >>>> - >>>> >>>> His notebooks are still being studied a century later >>>> >>>> Both lacked formal schooling—but only Ramanujan advanced the discipline >>>> itself. >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 4. Creativity vs. discovery >>>> >>>> A useful analogy: >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> *Shakuntala Devi* is like a *virtuoso pianist* performing existing >>>> compositions at superhuman speed and precision. >>>> - >>>> >>>> *Ramanujan* is like a *composer* inventing entirely new musical >>>> languages. >>>> >>>> Both require genius—but they are different kinds. >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 5. Public perception vs. mathematical legacyShakuntala Devi >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Famous worldwide during her lifetime >>>> - >>>> >>>> Guinness records >>>> - >>>> >>>> Inspired millions >>>> - >>>> >>>> Legacy is cultural and educational >>>> >>>> Ramanujan >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Little-known while alive outside academia >>>> - >>>> >>>> Now regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians in history >>>> - >>>> >>>> Legacy is foundational and eternal within mathematics >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> 6. How mathematicians view them today >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> *Shakuntala Devi* is admired as: >>>> - >>>> >>>> A phenomenal mental calculator >>>> - >>>> >>>> A gifted communicator >>>> - >>>> >>>> A symbol of intuitive numerical ability >>>> - >>>> >>>> *Ramanujan* is revered as: >>>> - >>>> >>>> A once-in-a-century mathematical mind >>>> - >>>> >>>> A source of ongoing research >>>> - >>>> >>>> A creator of ideas far ahead of his time >>>> >>>> Mathematicians do *not* place them in the same category—and that is >>>> not a criticism of Devi. >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> Final takeaway >>>> >>>> >>>> *Shakuntala Devi showed what the human mind can do with >>>> numbers.Ramanujan showed what the human mind can discover about numbers.* >>>> >>>> Both are extraordinary. >>>> They are simply extraordinary in *different dimensions*. >>>> >>>> If you want, I can also: >>>> >>>> - >>>> >>>> Explain one famous Ramanujan formula in simple terms >>>> - >>>> >>>> Show a Shakuntala Devi calculation method step-by-step >>>> - >>>> >>>> Discuss why Ramanujan often wrote without proofs >>>> >>>> Just let me know. >>>> >>>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 1:27 PM Yeddanapudi Markandeyulu < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Chat GPT Answer >>>>> >>>>> Shakuntala Devi (1929–2013) is often called *“the Human Computer,”* >>>>> but her *original contributions to mathematics* need to be understood >>>>> correctly and fairly. She was *not a research mathematician in the >>>>> academic sense*, and she did *not introduce new theorems or formal >>>>> mathematical theories*. Her originality lies elsewhere—and it is >>>>> still significant. >>>>> >>>>> Below is a clear, accurate breakdown. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> 1. Mental computation techniques (practical originality) >>>>> >>>>> Shakuntala Devi developed and refined *highly efficient mental >>>>> calculation strategies*, many of which were: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Faster than standard school algorithms >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Optimized for *mental execution*, not written work >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Based on number patterns, decompositions, and symmetry >>>>> >>>>> She could: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Multiply 13-digit numbers in seconds >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Extract 23rd roots mentally >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Perform calendar calculations instantly >>>>> >>>>> While these techniques were often *rediscoveries or clever >>>>> adaptations* of known arithmetic principles, her *original >>>>> contribution* was: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> How she *systematized* them for mental use >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> How she *combined multiple techniques fluidly in real time* >>>>> >>>>> This places her closer to an *exceptional algorithmic thinker* than a >>>>> theorem-proving mathematician. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> 2. Popularization of mathematics (major contribution) >>>>> >>>>> Her most lasting contribution is that she *made mathematics >>>>> accessible, playful, and confidence-building* for the general public. >>>>> Through her books (e.g.): >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> *Figuring: The Joy of Numbers* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> *Puzzles to Puzzle You* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> *Super Memory* >>>>> >>>>> She: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Introduced recreational mathematics to millions >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Encouraged mathematical thinking without fear >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Showed that math could be intuitive, not intimidating >>>>> >>>>> This had a *huge educational and cultural impact*, especially in >>>>> India. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> 3. Recreational mathematics and puzzle design >>>>> >>>>> Shakuntala Devi created: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Original number puzzles >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Novel problem formulations >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Pattern-based challenges that emphasized insight over rote >>>>> calculation >>>>> >>>>> While not “research mathematics,” this work: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Strengthened logical reasoning skills >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Influenced math clubs, competitions, and math education >>>>> >>>>> Recreational math is a recognized subfield, and she was one of its >>>>> most visible global ambassadors. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> 4. Demonstration of human cognitive limits >>>>> >>>>> Her public performances contributed indirectly to: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Cognitive psychology >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Studies of memory, pattern recognition, and mental processing >>>>> >>>>> She demonstrated: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> The *upper bounds of trained human computation* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> That extreme numerical ability does not require formal schooling >>>>> >>>>> This reshaped assumptions about intelligence and learning. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> 5. What she did *not* do (important clarification) >>>>> >>>>> She did *not*: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Publish peer-reviewed mathematical research >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Introduce new axioms, proofs, or formal theories >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Claim academic originality in pure mathematics >>>>> >>>>> And she never pretended to. Her genius was *performative, >>>>> pedagogical, and intuitive*, not academic. >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> In summary >>>>> >>>>> Shakuntala Devi’s original contributions to mathematics were: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> 🧠 *Innovative mental computation techniques* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> 📚 *Mass popularization of mathematics* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> 🧩 *Original recreational math puzzles* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> 🌍 *Changing public perception of mathematical ability* >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> 🎓 *Inspiring generations to engage with numbers* >>>>> >>>>> She was not a theorem-maker—but she was a *mathematical phenomenon*, >>>>> and her impact is real and enduring. >>>>> >>>>> If you’d like, I can also: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Compare her to Ramanujan (very different kinds of genius) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Explain one of her mental calculation methods step by step >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Discuss how her abilities are explained cognitively >>>>> >>>>> Just tell me. >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 12:25 PM Dr Sundar <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Shakuntala Devi >>>>>> >>>>>> What was her contribution to mathematics by way of any formula or a >>>>>> discovery or a theorem for students and academicians to apply ? >>>>>> Of course, her memory and speed of working a mathematical sum was >>>>>> super fast... like magic >>>>>> >>>>>> [I have seen Annachis in chennai stores calculating and giving the >>>>>> bill amount in 10 seconds whereas in better stores the girl takes 10 >>>>>> minutes to bar code scan each item and slowly deliver a computerized >>>>>> bill. >>>>>> The Marwaris are the same. They can calculate interest faster than we can >>>>>> do by using a calculator.] >>>>>> >>>>>> How is she a mathematician? >>>>>> >>>>>> I think there is zero contribution from her towards any invention or >>>>>> discovery related to any field. >>>>>> >>>>>> request readers to share their inputs please >>>>>> >>>>>> namaskaram >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *"KNOW THYSELF .* >>>>>> *SELF KNOWLEDGE IS REAL KNOWLEDGE.* >>>>>> *ALL OTHER KNOWLEDGE IS IGNORANCE AND THEY ARE NO KNOWLEDGE " * >>>>>> *~~~ Bhagavan Ramana* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "societyforservingseniors" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw0wmvfi%3D93%3D93Nw91VC8oVm%3Dat6PmK1NOc1Tk7pHqaAXw%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw0wmvfi%3D93%3D93Nw91VC8oVm%3Dat6PmK1NOc1Tk7pHqaAXw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "societyforservingseniors" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw3YYWB8o4%2Bap%2BJ_-FPXw4c9%3DWzS3oBwp2AP%2BafhXDJGXQ%40mail.gmail.com >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw3YYWB8o4%2Bap%2BJ_-FPXw4c9%3DWzS3oBwp2AP%2BafhXDJGXQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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