What is Vedic Math?

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We are going to start a new and very interesting section and that is 'VEDIC MATH'. Many of us are interested in increasing our productivity with calculations. This is where ‘Vedic Math’ helps us. It teaches us many ways to do the calculations quickly and if practiced correctly then all the calculations can be done in mind. Hence it helps us not only in our work, but routine works also. Vedic Math is also very useful for students to get rid of math phobia and improve grades. With these techniques one could be able to solve the mathematical problems 15 times faster. It improves mental calculations, concentration and confidence. Isn’t this great!

Once you are aware of the basics of Vedic Math, you can practice and make yourself a human calculator. Vedic Mathematics is magical. Let us take a simple example of multiplication to feel what Vedic Math is and what it can do.

So, let’s try 14 times 11.

•     Split the 14 apart, like:
•     1    4
•     Add these two digits together
•     1 + 4 = 5
•     Place the result, 5 in between the 14 to have 154
•     And the result is
•     14 X 11 = 154

This is a very basic example to show the magical power of Vedic Math. Once you learned all the techniques, you will be able to do various complex calculations very fast as mentioned above. Before we proceed towards the different techniques of Vedic mathematics in detail, we first give you brief background of Vedic Mathematics history.

'Vedic Mathematics' is the name given to the ancient system of mathematics derived from ancient treasure of knowledge called ‘Veda’. ‘Veda’ means knowledge. Vedic Mathematics believes to be a part of ‘Atharva Veda’. It a unique technique of calculations based on simple rules and principles, using which any mathematical problem related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry or trigonometry can be solved quickly and possibly orally (once you master it).

Vedic Mathematics was devised probably thousands of years back; however it was rediscovered again from the Vedas between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960). According to his research all of mathematics is based on sixteen Sutras or word-formulae. For example, 'Vertically and Crosswise` is one of these Sutras. These formulae describe the way the mind naturally works and are therefore a great help in solving the problems.

Following are 16 Sutras and 14 Sub-Sutras:

Sutras (Formulae)

• By one more than the one before
• All from 9 and the last from 10
• Vertically and crosswise
• Transpose and apply
• If the Samuccaya (i.e. both sides of the equation) is the same it is zero
• If one is in ratio the other is zero
• By addition and by subtraction
• By the completion or non-completion
• Differential calculus
• By the deficiency
• Specific and general
• The remainders by the last digit
• The ultimate and twice the penultimate
• By one less than the one before
• The product of the sum
• All the multipliers

    Sub-Sutras (Sub-Formulae)

• Proportionately
• The remainder remains constant
• The first by the first and the last by the last
• For 7 the multiplicand is 143
• By osculation
• Lessen by the deficiency
• Whatever the deficiency lessen by that amount and set up the square of the deficiency
• Last totaling 10
• Only the last terms
• The sum of the products
• By alternative elimination and retention
• By mere observation
• The product of the sum is the sum of the products
• On the flag

-Excerpt from Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji's "Vedic Mathematics"

We will discuss these sutras and subsutras in greater detail later. First we will go with some of the tips and tricks on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. And side by side, you realize that eventually we shall come across these sutras in different aspects of mathematical calculations, as all those calculations utilize these sutras (formulae) in one form or other. Then you shall also learn and understand the meaning of these sutras.

A simple example,

If we wished to subtract 378 from 1,000; we simply apply the sutra "all from nine and the last from 10". Each figure in 378 is subtracted from 9 and the last figure is subtracted from 10, yielding 622.

1000  -  378      =    622

1000  -     3                  7                8
            subtract    subtract    subtract
            from 9       from 9       from 10
               |                |                  |
               6               2                 2   

Vedic Mathematics is quite simple in calculations, and that means you can do simple to complex calculations orally. Imagine how much value that can add to different procedures in day to day life. Further, this whole system was devised considering utmost flexibility and extensibility. Pupils were encouraged to learn from practiced techniques and devised their new techniques. It is quite beautiful approach to mathematics. However, you can appreciate this beauty only by practicing it yourselves.

So, we shall start learning more about Vedic Math with coming articles. I hope you had a great time while reading brief history and few basic concept of Vedic Math. And wish, you will enjoy more with coming sessions. Then the phobia of math will disappear as you move forward with reading and eventually it fills you with lots of confidence. I’ll come up with more and more information soon.

Do you know:- 
What is the name of Veda, from which Vedic Mathematics comes from?

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