WORLD OF SCIENCE
Intuitive knowledge
DR. T. V. PADMA
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Many of Shakuntala Devi's books encourage children to love mathematics
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At a University in Texas, Shakuntala beat the then world's fastest computer, the Univac 1108, in a contest to find the 23rd root of a 201-digit number. The computer required over 13,000 instructions and thousands of data-locations, and took over a minute to solve the mega-problem. Shakuntala answered in just 50 seconds.
In 1980, her name made it into the Guiness Book of World Records, because she multiplied two 13-digit numbers correctly in just 28 seconds. Shakuntala Devi has written a number of books, two of which are international bestsellers. Many of her books deal with mathematics and how to encourage children to love the field and develop their mathematical prowess. She presents clues on how to work out number problems, focussing on the idea that mathematics can and should be fun.
Honoured
Recently, she was honoured with the Ramanujan Award! The inscription on her plaque read: "For her superhuman mathematical knowledge and skill in initiating children around the globe to explore the world of numbers."
Shakuntala Devi is currently involved in setting up a mathematics institute in Bangalore, which will not only teach mathematics as a special subject, but also conduct research into ancient Indian developments in the field. Her mission is to impart her skills to others.
Can you work out the cube root of 332 812 557? Shakuntala Devi did it within a minute, and without the aid of pen or pencil, even, let alone a calculator!
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