A. R. Rao

A. R. Rao (23 September 1908 – 22 October 2011) was an Indian mathematician.

A. R. Rao was born on 23 September 1908 in Salem district. He studied B. Sc. from Presidency College, Madras and M. Sc. from Wilson College, Bombay. He joined Bahauddin College, Junagadh as a professor and then made Gujarat as his residence. After working 27 years in Junagadh, he was transferred to Gujarat College, Ahmedabad. In 1964, he was appointed as a principal of Sir P. P. Institute of Science, Bhavnagar and he retired from it in 1976. He continued to serve various colleges in Gujarat and later joined Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), Ahmedabad as a head of mathematics department. He lived in Ahmedabad with his family. He was interested in education, research, experimentation, problem solving and popularize mathematics to masses. He pioneered mathematical laboratory in Gujarat where he designed models and experiments to teach mathematics. He was active to popularize mathematics in state and founded the laboratory at VASCSC. He had prepared students to participate in International Mathematical Olympiad .

He had written Brain Sharpners, a book on mathematical puzzles.

He active till January 2011 and died on 22 October 2011 following heart attack.

He had received national award from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He was felicitated by National Board for Higher Mathematics, Indian Mathematical Association and Gujarat Ganit Mandal. Gujarat Ganit Mandal had produced a documentary on him.