Math Is Fun Forum

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

A sum by Ramanujan

I read somewhere that Ramanujan said that

Does anyone know how this came about or where I might go to read more about it? Thanks

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: A sum by Ramanujan

Hi identity;

Read that too, it kept Indian mathematicians from taking him seriously. That is only true in Ramanujan Summation. There is also Cesaro Sums amd Borel summation, each is a different approach to summing a divergent series. They are sometimes useful in Physics.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: A sum by Ramanujan

Thanks bobbym, I'll check it out... ramanujan was a very interesting person

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: A sum by Ramanujan

Hi identity;

Yes, he was. The whole story is interesting. Hardy once said that he rated himself 25 and Littlewood a 30 and Hilbert 80 but Ramanujan 100. When you consider that Hardy ,Littlewood and Hilbert were considered among the best in the world, then you understand Ramanujan a little better.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.