"Human Computer" Dies: Math Genius Shakuntala Devi Made Incredibly Rapid Calculations

The "human computer", Shakuntala Devi, an Indian mathematical genius, died Sunday in Bangalore, India at age 83. Devi was given the "human computer" moniker for ability to make incredibly rapid calculations.

Devi's "human computer" accomplishments include calculating the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in 50 seconds. The computer she beat took 62 seconds (although this was in 1977). She was featured in the in the 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for correctly multiplying two 13-digit numbers in only 28 seconds at the Imperial College in London - including the time it took her to say the numbers.

Shakuntala Devi demonstrated her "human computer" gift throughout the world.  On two famous occasions, one on the BBC and one in Rome, her answer to problems were thought to be wrong, until the experts re-examined their own calculations. In both cases, she turned out to be correct.  A researcher posited that for Ms. Devi, "the manipulation of numbers is apparently like a native language, whereas for most of us arithmetic calculation is at best like the foreign language we learned in school." However, Arthur R. Jensen, the researcher, noted that unlike "Rain Man", Dustin Hoffman's famous character in the movie of the same title, she was socially adept, writing "Devi comes across as alert, extroverted, affable and articulate."

Shakuntala Devi was born in Bangalore on Nov. 4, 1929, to a father who as a lion tamer and trapeze artist. She became the family breadwinner after her father discovered she was a mathematical prodigy at 3. Her first major public performance was at the age of 6, and she went on to perform in circuses, road shows; then, later, at universities and on TV and the radio.

Devi died of respiratory and cardiac problems, according to D. C. Shivadev of the Shakuntala Devi Educational Foundation Public Trust.