Vedic Mathematics

[slimline66]

I always struggled with maths at school and this carried on into later life. I even struggle to remember some of my times tables

I recently came across something called "vedic mathematics" and now my belief that maths is hard is starting to diminish RAPIDLY!

[Edit] I've revised my examples to hopefully make them easier to understand. I've also had to put them in bbcode "code" tags so as not to lose the text formatting. More will be added to THIS post as I learn them.

I'm also in the middle of writing a (AutoHotkey) script/program for my young 'un (and myself ), that provides these maths problems to solve mentally and to learn and test the times tables (up to X20!). I'll put a link to it here for anyone that's interested when I upload it to the AutoHotkey site.

Code: Select all

**********************
*** MULTIPLICATION ***
**********************

Multiply two 2 digit numbers - "vertical and crosswise" |X|.

eg.32 X 41

   3 2
   |X|
   4 1
   * Vertical  - 3x4=12             - This is the start of your answer. Write down or remember 12
   * Crosswise - (3x1=3)+(4x2=8)=11 - Carry 1 over to the 12 making it 13, put the other 1 to the right of it [131].
   * Vertical  - 2x1=2              - Nothing to carry over, put 2 to the right of 131
   Answer: 1312


Multiply any 2 digit number by 11 - "add to neighbour" (0+1,1+2,2+3,3+4 ...).

eg. 43 X 11

   * Add the 4 and 3 together (7) and put the result between the 4 and 3 4(7)3.
   Answer: 473

You can do the same for 22, 33, 44 ...

eg. 43 X 22

   Multiply each number by 2. (For 33 times by 3, for 44 times by 4 etc.)
   * 4x2=8           - This is the start of your answer. Write down or remember 8.
   * (4+3)x2=14      - Carry 1 over to the 8 making it 9, put the 4 to the right of it. 94
   * 3x2=6           - Nothing to carry over, put 6 to the right of 94(6)
   Answer: 946


Multiply ANY number by 11 - "add to neighbour" (0+1,1+2,2+3,3+4 ...).

eg. 54423452432 X 11

   To get the answer you do exactly the same, in that you add neighbouring digit pairs together.
   * Starting from the left, the first digit is the first number of your answer (essentially 0+5=5) [5]
   * Write this down and put next to it the sum of that digit plus the next (5+4=9) [59].
   * Then next to that (4+4=8), you now have 594.
   * Continue this way until the last two digits are added together (3+2=5).
   * Write the last digit (2) as it is (as with the first digit, is essentially 2+0).
   Answer: 598657976752


*******************
***** SQUARE² *****
*******************

Square a two digit number ending in 5.

eg. 95²

   * Take the first digit (9) and add 1 to it then multiply the two together (9x10=90).
   * Thats the first part of the answer. The last part is always the same (5x5=25)
   Answer: 9025


*******************
*** SUBTRACTION ***
*******************

Take any number from 100, 1000, 10000, 100000 etc, "all from 9, last from 10".

eg. 1000000 - 736462

   * 9-7=2, 9-3=6, 9-6=3, 9-4=5, 9-6=3, 10-2=8
   Answer: 263538


*******************
*** PERCENTAGES ***
*******************

Find percentages close to base 100.

eg. 96% of 88

xx. = 100%
x.x = 10%
.xx = 1%

96% of xx = 100% - 4% [ (10%/2=5%)-1%=4% ] or, [ (1%*4) or ((1%*2=2%)*2=4%) ]
xx - ( (x.x/2)-.xx ) or, [ (.xx*4) or ((.xx*2)*2) ]

   96% is 4% less than 100%. We first find 4% of 88 then subtract it from the 88 leaving 96% of 88.
   In this case there are two ways of finding 4%.
      1 - find 1% (.88) and multiply by 4 (or mutliply .88 by 2 then that answer by 2).
      2 - find 10% (8.8), halve it to find 5% (4.4) then subtract 1% (.88) leaving 4%.
   Then subtract the 4% from 88.
   
   * (8.8 / 2 = 4.4)-.88 = 3.52 or (.88 x 2 = 1.76)x2 = 3.52
   * 88 - 3.52 = 84.48
   Answer: 96% of 88 = 84.48

Tip: to quickly take away .88 from 4.40 I added .12 to .88 to round it up to 1.00, took that from 4.40 (3.40) then added the extra .12 that I took off back on.


All of these are very simple examples that can be worked out in your head!!

There has been some speculation as to whether the Vedas actually mention these ways of working out maths problems ... but even so ... enjoy being a clever dick!

Video examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFvwRzjTWAw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qQAYEYLCoU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf3_36a9MWc

More: http://www.youtube.com/user/sweetmini2002#p/u

Video set download (163mb): http://www.filestube.com/8ex0QvQOJmn3WcbOffX8TV/Vedic-Mathematics-EasyCal-Series-of-30-Fast-Math-Tricks.html

[slimline66]

Here's another one.

The first example above showed how to times a two digit number by 11. This is how to multiply ANY number by 11.

54423452432x11

To get the answer you do exactly the same in that you add neighbouring digit pairs together.

Starting from the left the first digit is the first number of your answer (essentially 0+5=5)

Write this down and put next to it the sum of that digit plus the next (5+4=9), then next to that (4+4=8), you now have 594. Continue this way until the last two digits are added together (3+2=5). Writ the last digit as it is (again as with the first, essentially 2+0).

You get the answer 598657976752 Tommy Cooper stylee ...

This example used digits 5 and lower to avoid having to carry across. Larger single digits mean there's a chance you'll have to, but its still easy and quick.

This and other examples here: http://www.glad2teach.co.uk/fast_maths_calculation_tricks.htm

[madlookin]

nice find slim...abit late to get my head round it tonight.
found this link
http://www.vedicmaths.org/introduction/ ... f%20VM.asp
i was under the impression that it was India that gave us the modern decimal system...i'm gonna come back to this

[slimline66]

Once you get the formulas in your head its piss easy. I can now multiply ANY 2 two digit numbers in my head.

Me for fuck sake, and I've only been at it for a week or so!!!

There is no reason why longer sums can't be done mentally too because you use the same formula for working out. The hardest thing for me is remembering a number while I work out the next part but it's getting easier ... and there are tricks you can use, like http://tpuc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=29442 using your fingers (left index finger sticking out and, right thumb and index,middle,ring fingers sticking out equals 18).

Another that I learned a while ago is to associate the digits 0 - 9 with mental images of "things". You use things that either "sound" like the digit, "1 = swan", "2 = shoe", or things that "look" like the digit, "1 = pencil/pen", "2 = swan" etc. You can even mix them up. You use whatever comes naturally to YOU.

You then visualise a scene making it as ridiculous as possible. For example, to remember 18 you might imagine a swan (1) with its head stuck in the pickets of a gate (8). Make it as vivid as possible, have the swan flapping about making lots of noise. Are the pickets pointed or rounded? Colour? The more detail you take notice of the easier it is to recall. This is how the brain works best.

I memorised the planets in our solar system in a similar way to this and taught it to my son on the way home from school one day. by the time we got back home he could recite the correct order forwards AND backwards just by reversing the story that contained vivid images.

This is what the ancient Greeks used to do and how people like Dominic whatshisface remembers the order of XX packs of cards!!

Sorry, I waffled a bit there.

I was gobsmacked the other week. My son showed me how they're being taught how to do long multiplication at his school. Fuck me if I could understand it. They have them writing out loads of columns that take up large amounts of space ... I can't even explain what was going on. I showed him how I (and probably you) was taught and he agreed it was easier. The only thing is, at 11 years old he hasn't been taught all (up to x12) the times tables. I'm having to teach him.


Yes that's one of the first sites I came across

This page http://www.vedicmaths.org/introduction/Tutorial/Tutorial.asp on that site has an interactive tutorial that inspired me to write a similar (although better! ) program.

[madlookin]

This page http://www.vedicmaths.org/introduction/ ... torial.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; on that site has an interactive tutorial that inspired me to write a similar (although better! ) program.

just done some of the tutorials...once you get your head round it....it is simple...a completely different way of lookin maths

[teks]

I found this.
Some tutorials r here too

http://vedicmathsindia.org/tutorials.htm

[slimline66]

Nice one teks

Here's some more examples of demystifying and simplifying maths.

Mathemagic.

Can you mentally multiply enormous numbers faster than a calculator? Memorize a 100 digit number? Figure the day of the week of anyone's birthday? These are just some of the many feats of mind that will be demonstrated at this event. Mathematics can be a difficult and perhaps puzzling subject for many. But watch in amazement as one of the world's fastest human calculators shows his ability to turn math into magic.

Arthur Benjamin, Ph.D. is a professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. He is the author of Secrets of Mental Math and Proofs that Really Count as well as co-editor of the journal Math Horizons. Fusing his love of both mathematics and magic, he has appeared at the World Science Festival in New York and the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Reader's Digest calls him "America's Best Math Whiz".

Mathemagic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFhrnZxAgU

Mathemagics - The Art of Mental Calculation - Audiobook & eBook (155MB):

Dr. Benjamin is one of the world’s fastest lightning calculators, and he can demonstrate and explain his abilities to any audience. Among the many feats of mind demonstrated: How to mentally multiply enormous numbers (faster than a calculator); How to memorize a 100 digit number; How to figure the day of the week of anyone’s birthday, and more! Dr. Benjamin offers a variety of presentations, suitable for schools, conferences, corporate events, and private functions.

Dr. Arthur Benjamin is both a professor of mathematics and a magician. He has combined his two loves to create a dynamic presentation called “Mathemagics,” suitable for all audiences, where he demonstrates and explains his secrets for performing rapid mental calculations faster than a calculator. Reader’s Digest calls him “America’s Best Math Whiz”. He has presented his high energy talk on over a thousand occasions to audiences throughout the world.

Rar part1 - http://rapidshare.com/files/336095560/Mathemagics.part1.rar
Rar part2 - http://rapidshare.com/files/336095448/Mathemagics.part2.rar

Video's that go with the above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_xld4Zygjs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAHQO1DTOGE

Bonus!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jb7m2vYZaQ

The Trachtenberg Speed System Of Basic Mathematics:

The complete system of the Trachtenberg method of mathematics which makes possible high-speed arithmetical calculations with a remarkable degree of accuracy. This method is not only speedy but simple. Once one has mastered the rules, lightning calculation is as easy as reading a story. It looks like magic, but the rules are based on sound logic.

The Trachtenberg Speed System Of Basic Mathematics.pdf (3mb):
http://sharingmatrix.com/file/15004315/0313232008.rar

[madlookin]

ok...its not math....but interesting that Sanskrit is being taught within the modern education system (probably the moneyed schools)

Sanskrit taught in British Junior School

In the St James School, all 260 students in junior school are enrolled in the Sanskrit class. The teacher, who is English, incants the ancient syllables with an ease that comes with practise. Why would schools in Britain make the study of Sanskrit part of their curriculum? St James Schools founder Leon MacLaren wrote in the founding document: ‘Study of language was based on Sanskrit, because it appears to be, or be close to, the mother of all Indo-European languages, is full of profound concepts and alone among all tongues that has not changed over the millennia.’
“He would say that Sanskrit is important for etymological study of Indo-European dialects, and its grammar serves as a model. Hence, it gives insight into the origins and current structure of most languages spoken by students,” explains Warwick Jessup, head of the Sanskrit department, St James Junior School, UK.
“Sanskrit literally means ‘well-formed’ or ‘refined’. It is a classical language par excellence predating Latin and Greek, and it reveals to children the fundamental principles of language. […] The structure of the Sanskrit alphabet, which children are introduced to at the age of five, is scientifically ordered. The sounds of the alphabet are comprehensive in their range and they considerably broaden the linguistic skills of children at an early stage,” says Jessup.

[allseeingyak]

Yes, just recently discovered vedic maths and have to say a revelation!!! My son(he's 13) and me are actually enjoying learning this stuff, something me or him have never been taught at school(comp)