The Universe Concealed: Is the essence of the cosmos hidden within the value of π?
Everyone is familiar with the Greek letter π from math class, known for its approximate values of 22/7 or 3.14. The mathematical formulae developed by the legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan for calculating the value of π are well over a century old, yet they remain profoundly relevant today. Now, researchers have surprisingly discovered the very nature of our universe concealed within them.
π and the Chadnovsky Algorithm
In 1914, Ramanujan revealed 17 mathematical formulae for calculating the value of π. While we often use 3.14, the value doesn’t end there. Scientists have been able to calculate it up to 200 trillion decimal places. Researchers at the Centre for High Energy Physics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, were astonished while working on this.
According to Aninda Sinha, a key researcher, “Scientists have used the Chudnovsky algorithm to calculate π up to 200 trillion places. These algorithms are essentially built upon Ramanujan’s formulae.”
Under Sinha’s guidance, Faizan Bhat and his colleagues set out to find the ‘extraordinary’ nature of these century-old formulae. Sinha said, “We wanted to see if the origin of the formulae fits the framework of physics. That is, is there a physical world where Ramanujan’s mathematics naturally emerges?”
The ‘Magic’ Connection to Physics
This led to a ‘magic’ moment! It was observed that these formulae could answer complex questions in physics, including:
The movement of matter through a medium.
The onset of turbulent flow in liquids.
Specific descriptions related to black holes.
When Ramanujan discovered these formulae a hundred years ago, it was impossible for anyone to imagine that they could be so effective in the realm of physics! Ramanujan passed away in 1920. A century has passed since his death, yet the magic of the Indian mathematician’s formulae continues.
Sinha stated that he and everyone aware of this discovery are overwhelmed. There is perhaps no other way to feel; that so much could be derived from π is truly incredible.
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