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Ramanujan Reveals Pi Formula In A Dream Meme

This single-panel STEM humor meme features a complex infinite series formula for calculating 1/π, attributed to mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, at the top. On the left below the formula is a cartoon of an enraged, glasses-wearing Wojak/soyjak character shouting the question 'Source?'. On the right is a black and white portrait of Srinivasa Ramanujan, paired with the text 'It was revealed to me in a dream' below his photo. The joke references Ramanujan's real-life habit of claiming many of his revolutionary mathematical insights were gifted to him in dreams by his family deity, poking fun at the common academic and internet culture demand for cited sources for all claims, even those that came from unconventional origins.
Make

Dialogue

Source?
It was revealed to me in a dream

Text content

1/π = (2√2 / 9801) * sum from k=0 to infinity of [(4k)!(1103 + 26390k) / ((k!)^4 * 396^(4k))]

Overview

This single-panel STEM humor meme features a complex infinite series formula for calculating 1/π, attributed to mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, at the top. On the left below the formula is a cartoon of an enraged, glasses-wearing Wojak/soyjak character shouting the question 'Source?'. On the right is a black and white portrait of Srinivasa Ramanujan, paired with the text 'It was revealed to me in a dream' below his photo. The joke references Ramanujan's real-life habit of claiming many of his revolutionary mathematical insights were gifted to him in dreams by his family deity, poking fun at the common academic and internet culture demand for cited sources for all claims, even those that came from unconventional origins.

Origin notes

This meme was shared on the Reddit r/meme subreddit, as indicated by the provided source information. It leverages a well-known historical anecdote about Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of the most famous 20th century mathematicians, to create relatable humor for people in STEM and academic fields who are familiar with the pressure to provide sourcing for all claims. The meme format pairs a common 'ask for source' reaction character with the historical figure's famous unusual source of insight for comedic effect.

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