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What is Ramanujan's IQ?

Published in Mathematics 2 mins read

Ramanujan's estimated IQ is 185.

While it's impossible to know Srinivasa Ramanujan's precise IQ, due to the lack of formal IQ testing during his lifetime and the fact that IQ scores aren't a perfect measure of mathematical genius, historians and scholars estimate his IQ to be around 185. This estimation is based on the complexity and originality of his mathematical contributions, particularly in areas like number theory, elliptic functions, and infinite series.

It's important to remember that an IQ score is just one way of assessing cognitive abilities. Ramanujan's genius stemmed not only from intellectual capacity but also from his extraordinary intuition and unconventional approach to mathematics. He often arrived at profound results without formal proofs, relying on insights that seemed to come from a deep and intrinsic understanding of numbers. He lacked formal training in much of higher mathematics, which makes his accomplishments even more remarkable.

While the estimated IQ of 185 places him among the highest recorded scores, it's crucial to consider the limitations of such assessments, especially when applied retrospectively to historical figures like Ramanujan. His true brilliance lies in his unique and groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, which continue to inspire mathematicians today.

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