UPSC Prelims 2016 Q99: Art & Culture – Theatre & Cinema
A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of
- (a) S. Ramanujan
- (b) S. Chandrasekhar
- (c) S. N. Bose
- (d) C. V. Raman
Answer: (a) S. Ramanujan
Explanation
The Man Who Knew Infinity
The movie is based on the biography of the mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
The book of the same name was written by Robert Kanigel in 1991.
| Fact about Ramanujan | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 December 1887, Erode, Tamil Nadu |
| Mentor | G.H. Hardy at Cambridge |
| Work | Number theory, infinite series, partitions |
| Honour | Fellow of the Royal Society (1918) |
| Famous number | 1729, the Hardy-Ramanujan number |
| Remembered on | National Mathematics Day, 22 December |
The other options:
| Scientist | Known for |
|---|---|
| S. Chandrasekhar | Chandrasekhar limit; Nobel Prize 1983 |
| S. N. Bose | Bose-Einstein statistics; bosons |
| C. V. Raman | Raman effect; Nobel Prize 1930 |
Answer: (a) S. Ramanujan.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The movie is based on the biography of S. Ramanujan.
- (b) Incorrect. S. Chandrasekhar was an astrophysicist, not the subject of this movie.
- (c) Incorrect. S. N. Bose is known for Bose-Einstein statistics.
- (d) Incorrect. C. V. Raman is known for the Raman effect.
Key point
Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920): number theorist; worked with G.H. Hardy; 1729; National Mathematics Day on 22 December.
Remember
The Man Who Knew Infinity = Ramanujan.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the three 'S.' scientists in the options.
- Linking 'infinity' to astrophysics and choosing Chandrasekhar.
- Forgetting that National Mathematics Day marks Ramanujan's birthday.
Exam tip
Infinity = infinite series = Ramanujan.
Sources
- Robert Kanigel — The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan (1991)
- Press Information Bureau — National Mathematics Day (22 December)