Who is known as the "Human Computer"?
VerifiedAnswer: Shakunthala Devi
Explanation:
Shakunthala Devi earned the remarkable title of "Human Computer" due to her extraordinary mathematical abilities that amazed people worldwide. Born on November 4, 1929, in Bangalore, Karnataka, she demonstrated exceptional talent for mental calculations from a very young age. Her incredible speed and accuracy in solving complex mathematical problems without using any calculating devices made her famous across the globe.
What made Shakunthala Devi truly special was her ability to perform calculations that would challenge even modern computers. She could multiply large numbers, extract cube roots, and solve mathematical problems in seconds that would take ordinary people hours to complete. Her mathematical genius was recognized internationally when she successfully demonstrated her skills at universities and institutions around the world.
One of her most famous achievements occurred in 1977 at Southern Methodist University in the United States, where she extracted the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in just 50 seconds. This feat was so remarkable that it was verified by a computer, which took longer than she did to arrive at the same answer. Such demonstrations earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Beyond her calculating abilities, Shakunthala Devi was also a prolific author who wrote several books on mathematics, including "Figuring: The Joy of Numbers" and "Super Memory: It Can Be Yours." She dedicated her life to making mathematics accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages. Her work helped remove the fear that many students have about mathematics by showing them that numbers can be fun and fascinating.
Her legacy continues to inspire students and mathematicians today. Shakunthala Devi proved that with dedication, practice, and natural talent, the human mind can achieve what seems impossible. She passed away on April 21, 2013, but her contributions to mathematics and her inspiring life story continue to motivate people around the world to explore the beautiful world of numbers and calculations.
