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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Kanigel describe English society from Ramanujan's point-of-view?

2. To what extent does Kanigel say Ramanujan blended in with Cambridge society?

3. What does Kanigel say Ramanujan distrusted in English society?

4. How does Kanigel describe Ramanujan as a mathematical thinker?

5. What obstacle stood in the way of Hardy's plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Ramanujan and Hardy's work on partitions.

2. What was Ramanujan's relationship with Cambridge after he left for India?

3. Describe Ramanujan's trip to England.

4. What is a formalist in mathematical thinking?

5. Ramanujan kept extensive notes of his thinking. What was in Ramanujan's notebooks, and how much of his work was valuable, according to Kanigel?

6. What cultural practices did Ramanujan hold on to from India?

7. Where did Ramanujan go when he reached England?

8. How much did Ramanujan's bride share in his mathematical life?

9. What was Ramanujan's response when Hardy asked him for proofs?

10. How was Ramanujan treated on his return to India?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Having reached a degree of fame, Ramanujan attempted suicide because he could not solve all the problems around him. Why was Ramanujan incapable of handling this inevitable limitation? Where else in his life were his needs far beyond the realm of what was possible?

Essay Topic 2

To what extent was math a social enterprise for Ramanujan? How much did his career depend on other people? What made other people believe in him? What values did those people have that made it important to help Ramanujan?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the intersection the British culture of secret society and prestige with Ramanujan's culture of Brahmin prestige and privilege. How much did these cultures clash in Ramanujan's experience? How did they work together?

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