Mathematics wizard Shakuntala Devi dies

INDIA: Legendary Mathematics wizard Shakuntala Devi, dubbed as the world's fastest 'human computer' and who made complex mental calculations as a child prodigy, died at a hospital in Bangalore on Sunday following respiratory problems.

Devi, who has enthralled fans with her prowess for decades, was 83. "She passed away at Bangalore Hospital," Shakuntala Devi Educational Foundation Public Trust trustee DC Shivadev said, "he said.

Devi was hospitalised a couple of weeks ago for critical respiratory problems, Shivadev said. "She developed heart and kidney problems later," he added.

A household name in the country, Devi cast a spell adding a 16-digit number with another one and multipliying the result with an equal array of numbers almost instantaneously, finding the cube root of the resultant and pops up with an answer in just about the time taken for a wink.

DECCAN HERALD