He lives in a world of numbers. The Station Master at Madurai Railway Junction, T.R.Jothilingam's fascination for numbers is so much that most of the time you .nd him bent over pieces of paper, pen in hand and solving mathematical puzzles. Such is his pro.ciency that he can produce magic squares to the order of 3x3 up to in.nite number in matter of minutes.
Ardent lover of puzzles
"A magic square is a square array of numbers consisting of distinct positive integers (1, 2, ...) arranged in such a way that the sum of the numbers in any horizontal, vertical, or main diagonal line is always the same number, called as the magic constant," he de.nes a magic square.
"Right from school days I had an attraction for the number system. That was the time I madly followed people who played number tricks. The interest was lying dormant and came alive four years ago when I saw magic squares in some magazine. From that day, was lured into the world of magic squares," reminisces Mr. Jothilingam.
What started as a hobby turned into a passion and he evolved his own methods to solve puzzle. "It gives you immense satisfaction. A sense of achievement engulfs you once you are able to solve the puzzle," he beams.
He categorises magic squares into three main groups _ odd and even numbers divisible by four and even numbers not divisible by four. He also suggests one possible way to create a magic square of odd number (see box).
Sudoku expert
Jothilingam is also adept in solving Sudoku puzzles, the latest rage among the public. "Till last year I was not aware of this puzzle. One day my sons brought me this puzzle and I not only solved it in minutes but also developed it further."
He has also developed Sudoku in the order of 16x16 grid containing 256 squares, 25x25 grid containing 625 squares, 36x36 grid containing 1296 squares and 100x100 grid containing 10000 squares. A special feature of his method of solving Sudoku puzzle that boxes along the diagonals too contain only one instance each numeral.
"I planned to send my Sudoku puzzle of 100x100 grid with 10x10 subgrids to Guinness Record. I require an University certi.cate for this, but universities here want me to convert my method of solving puzzles into a scholarly written mathematical theorem, which am .nding dif.cult," he rues.
His passion for solving puzzles has led him to evolve his own puzzle called `Thoppean Square', technique based on the magic square.
Mr. Jothilingam is also an expert in solving chess puzzles, Tower of Hanoi problems, simpli.ed short cut multiplication methods and other number tricks. "It is imperative for school children to learn solving mathematical puzzle as it stimulates brain activity and the Intelligence Quotient of the child improves," he states. He likes to spread his knowledge to public. His vision is to run a television serial on solving puzzles with the script he has developed.Both his sons, T.J. Ramnath Babu, doing I year B.Tech., National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi and T.J. Raghunath Babu, who just got berth in Anna University, have also mastered solving puzzles and help him out by converting all the methods into computer programmes.
So far, Jothilingam has taught about 300 children about magicsquares and Sudoku. Those who are interested can contact him by dialling 0452-6583879.
* * *
Here is one of the methods followed to create a magic square of an odd number. For example, to create a magic square of 3x3, use numbers from 1 to 3x3 (i.e. 1 to 9). Fill no.1 in the centre box of the first row. To fill the next number move one square to your right and one square up. If it crosses the boundary write the number in the box, which is at the opposite side. You continue with this. If the box is already filled then write down the next number in the box just below the number from where you try to move. Move on with one box to your right and one square up rule. The next number to the one in the right top box should be filled in the box just below that number. Again continue with one square to your right and one square up step till you evolve a perfect magic square.
About Mr. TRJ,
He is working as a Station Master in Southern Railways, in Kudal Nagar, Madurai, in South India. I am a graduated in Maths in 1974.
This is an exciting, mind boggling, very fun-filled and very simple website(http://jollymaths.com). Here, I have put up some new ideas which you might find interesting. I hope this will help students to eliminate MathPhobia. Learn these simple techniques and implement them in your practical life and outperform others…!! This has proved to be useful for thousands of kids who have attended my workshops. Here is a complete list of my sessions.
From my earlier days I had some curiosity over numbers. I began to collect Magic squares some ten years back and developed to certain noteable extent. I am taking 2-4 hours classes in Schools and Colleges as FUN MATHS AND MIND GAMES. Now I am planning to do Guinness World Record in the following fields:
- Magic squares from 3 x 3 upto any highest number one can imagine. (Additionally, I have also found out around 200 different ways of forming 6×6 Magic squares )
- Magic squares inside the magic square (5 x 5 upto 100 x 100 and programmed upto 1500 x 1500)
- World’s biggest Sudokus. Normally Sudokus are of size 9 x 9, having a total of 81 numbers. I have done the World’s biggest Sudoku with 400 x 400 (total 1,60,000 squares). My Sudokus have additional properties in them.
- Multiplication using Hand fingers ( in a set of 6-10,11-15, 16-20… 91-95, 96-100) and above. Also there are three different methods of multiplication using hand fingers.
- I can be able to multiply 75×75 in more than 10 dufferent ways.
- There are many types of enthrilling special Magic Squares and some are compiled here for you. Hope you enjoy them!
For more Details http://jollymaths.com/
Thanks to Mr. Kuttuva Pyarilal shared in Facebook.
No comments:
Post a Comment