Shakuntala Devi, the Indian to beat the computers in mathematical wizardry

Shakuntala Devi, also known as the "human computer," was an Indian writer and mental calculator. She was born on November 4, 1929, in Bangalore, India. She was widely recognized for her exceptional skills in mental calculation and was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for her speed and accuracy.

Early Life and Education

Shakuntala Devi was born into a Kannada Brahmin family in Bangalore. Her father was a circus performer and her mother was a homemaker. She demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for numbers at an early age and her father recognized her talent and started taking her on road shows where she would perform complex calculations in front of large audiences.

Career

Shakuntala Devi's talent for numbers was recognized worldwide and she was invited to various countries to perform her calculations. She also authored many books on mathematics, including puzzles and problem-solving techniques. She was also a vocal advocate for the education of women and children.

Beating Computers

In 1977, Shakuntala Devi was invited to the University of California, Berkeley, to participate in a computer demonstration. She was pitted against a computer to see who could calculate the cube root of 188,132,517 the fastest. Shakuntala Devi, using her mental calculation skills, gave the correct answer in just 20 seconds. The computer took 62 seconds to arrive at the answer.

Legacy

Shakuntala Devi's legacy lives on even after her death in 2013. Her contribution to mathematics and mental calculation has been recognized worldwide. She was a true inspiration to many, especially women, and her advocacy for education continues to inspire people to this day.