Kanakanahalli Ramachandra
Encyclopedia
Kanakanahalli Ramachandra (1933 August 18, Mysore, India – 2011 January 17) was an Indian mathematician working in analytic number theory
Analytic number theory
In mathematics, analytic number theory is a branch of number theory that uses methods from mathematical analysis to solve problems about the integers. It is often said to have begun with Dirichlet's introduction of Dirichlet L-functions to give the first proof of Dirichlet's theorem on arithmetic...

.

Early career

After his father's death at age 13, he had to look for a job. Ramachandra worked as a clerk at the Minerva Mills where Ramachandra’s father had also worked. In spite of taking up a job quite remote from mathematics, Ramachandra studied number theory all by himself in his free time; especially the works of
Ramanujan.

Ramachandra completed his graduation and post graduation from Central College, Bangalore.

Later, he worked as a lecturer in BMS College of Engineering. Ramachandra also served a very short stint of
only six days as a teacher in the Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...

, Bangalore.

Ramachandra went to the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is a research institution in India dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences. It is a Deemed University and works under the umbrella of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India. It is located at Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai...

 (TIFR), Bombay, for his graduate studies in 1958. He obtained his Ph.D. from University of Mumbai
University of Mumbai
The University of Mumbai , is a state university located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was known as the University of Bombay until 1996 when the city of Bombay was renamed as Mumbai. The affiliated colleges of the university are spread throughout the city of Mumbai and four coastal districts in...

 in 1965; his doctorate was guided by K. G. Ramanathan.

Later career

Between the years 1965 and 1995 he worked at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is a research institution in India dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences. It is a Deemed University and works under the umbrella of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India. It is located at Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai...

 and after retirement joined the National Institute of Advanced Studies
National Institute of Advanced Studies
The National Institute of Advanced Studies , is a research institute in India.It is one of the unique institutions in the country conducting research in multidisciplinary areas....

, Bangalore where he worked till 2011, the year he died. During the course of his lifetime, he published over 200 articles, of which over 170 have been cataloged by Mathematical Reviews
Mathematical Reviews
Mathematical Reviews is a journal and online database published by the American Mathematical Society that contains brief synopses of many articles in mathematics, statistics and theoretical computer science.- Reviews :...

.

His work was primarily in the area of prime number theory, working on the Riemann zeta function and allied functions. Apart from prime number theory, he made substantial contributions to the theory of transcendental number theory
Transcendence theory
Transcendence theory is a branch of number theory that investigates transcendental numbers, in both qualitative and quantitative ways.-Transcendence:...

, in which, he is known for his proof of the six exponentials theorem
Six exponentials theorem
In mathematics, specifically transcendental number theory, the six exponentials theorem is a result that, given the right conditions on the exponents, guarantees the transcendence of at least one of a set of exponentials.-Statement:...

, which is done independently of Serge Lang
Serge Lang
Serge Lang was a French-born American mathematician. He was known for his work in number theory and for his mathematics textbooks, including the influential Algebra...

. He also contributed to many other areas of number theory. His Erdős number
Erdos number
The Erdős number describes the "collaborative distance" between a person and mathematician Paul Erdős, as measured by authorship of mathematical papers.The same principle has been proposed for other eminent persons in other fields.- Overview :...

 was 1.

In 1978 he founded the Hardy–Ramanujan journal
Hardy–Ramanujan Journal
The Hardy–Ramanujan Journal is a mathematics journal covering prime numbers, Diophantine equations, and transcendental numbers. It is named for G. H. Hardy and Srinivasa Ramanujan. Together with the Ramanujan Journal and the Journal of the Ramanujan Mathematical Society, it is one of three journals...

, and published it on behalf of the Hardy–Ramanujan society until his death.

Awards and Distinctions

  • Elected President of the Calcutta Mathematical Society for the period; 2007-2010
  • Elected Vice President of the Calcutta Mathematical Society for the period; 2000-2003
  • Meghnad Saha Award, UGC, Hari Om Trust (1976)
  • Srinivasa Ramanujan Birth Centenary Award ISCA ; 1994-1995
  • Srinivasa Ramanujan Medal
    Srinivasa Ramanujan Medal
    The Srinivasa Ramanujan Medal, named after the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, is awarded by the Indian National Science Academy for work in the mathematical sciences.Past recipients include:*1962 S. Chandrasekhar*1964 B. P. Pal...

    ; 1997.
  • Sir.M.Vishveshwaraya Award of KSCST; 1997
  • Editor of Hardy-Ramanujan Journal

External links

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