Why Is National Mathematics Day Observed On December 22? Know History And Significance Of The Day

National Mathematics Day was observed for the first time on Dec 22, 2012. The day aims to spread awareness about importance of mathematics & remove the fear associated with maths in minds of people.

Representational image (Source: Getty)

New Delhi: December 22 is observed annually as National Mathematics Day in India. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of legendary Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. 

National Mathematics Day is celebrated in India to emphasise on the importance of mathematics and honour Ramanujan. 

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Tribute to the Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Man who knew Infinity, one of the most brilliant mathematicians of the 20th century on his birth anniversary. #NationalMathematicsDay

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- Nitin Gadkari (@nitin.gadkari) 22 Dec 2021

Ramanujan is widely recognised for his contributions to mathematical concepts like number theory, mathematical analysis of infinite series, and continued fractions, among others. He has given the world more than 3500 mathematical equations and formulae. 

The Riemann series, Divergent Series Theory, elliptic integrals, Hypergeometric series are some of the most important contributions made by Ramanujan to mathematics.

History Of National Mathematics Day

The National Mathematics Day was observed for the first time on December 22, 2012, which was the 125th birth anniversary of Ramanujan. On that day, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced that December 22 would be observed as National Mathematics Day across the nation every year. As a tribute to the contributions of Ramanujan in the field of mathematics, the year 2012 was celebrated as National Mathematics Year.

Significance Of National Mathematics Day

The day is celebrated to acknowledge Ramanujan’s mathematical works, and spread awareness about the importance of mathematics, which can inspire the younger generation to pursue mathematics as a subject. The day also aims to remove the fear associated with math in the minds of a lot of people. 

Different activities related to mathematics are conducted on this day. Educational events are held at schools and universities. On December 22, 2017, the Ramanujan Math Park was inaugurated in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. 

The National Academy of Sciences, India, celebrates National Mathematics Day by conducting a workshop to showcase the works of Ramanujan. Lecturers and experts in the field of mathematics attend this workshop, and discuss Ramanujan’s contributions to mathematics.