Math Help

Math Help


The latest research in Vedic Math suggests that there are sixteen ancient Vedic Sutras which have been expanded upon by an additional thirteen sub-Sutras or math corollaries.

A brief discussion on each of these is in order.

The 16 Vedic Math Sutras as applicable to mathematics:

1. “Ekadhikena Purvena” (By one more than the previous one) The working of the Sutra is quite simple. In the case of the vulgar fraction 1/19 whose denominator ends with 9, in the normal method 18 steps are required. But with this Sutra it can be accomplished in only one step. The actual calculations and steps are beyond the scope of this writing. This is just to show the ease with which we can apply Vedic mathematics to everyday calculations as well as for solving complex equations.

2. “Nikhilam Navatascaramam Dasatah” (All from 9 and the last from 10) This is a cryptic Sutra for multiplying numbers. According to Vedic Math multiplication tables are not required beyond the 5 multiplied by 5. It is claimed that with this sutra multiplication becomes a Childs play.

3. “The Urdhva Tiryaghyam Sutra” (Vertically and crosswise multiplications) This is another short Sutra for multiplication

4. “Paravartya Yojayet” (Transpose and apply) This Sutra is used to solve simple equations

5. “Sunyam Samyasamuccaye” i.e. If the Samuccaya is the same (on both sides of the equation, then) that Samuccaya is (equal to) zero This Sutra is used to solve special type of equations. “Samuccaya” is a technical term which has several meanings in different contexts. In fact, a single word taking on different meanings is the beauty of Sanskrit text. At the same time it is also confusing and confounding to those who have not mastered the language. If looked at it from different angles, Sanskrit is a boon as well as a bane. Misunderstanding and misinterpreting is quite common among scholars. In as much as the scriptures are concerned, the meaning of words becomes all the more important.

6. “(Anurupye ) Sunyamanyat” ( If one is in ratio the other one is zero) There are some simultaneous equations which may involve large numbers and may therefore seem hard to solve, but owing to certain ratios between the coefficients can be readily and easily solved using this Sutra.

7. “Sankalana-vyavakalanabhyam”

8. “Puranapuranabhyam”

9. “Calana-kalanabhyam”

The above three Sutras are used in solving different types of quadratic equations.

10. “Yavadunam” This Sutra is used for squaring and cubing.

11. “Vyastisamastih”

12. “Sesanyankena Caramena”

13. “Sopantyadvayamantyam”

14. “Ekanyunena Purvena”

15. “Gunitasamuccayah”

16. “Gunakasamuccayah”

The above Sutras are used for different mathematical calculations in conjunction with other Sutras.



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Math Help


In our modern age of computers and calculators, a lot of people have practically stopped developing skills of mental arithmetic and mental math. What school child hasn’t asked, “Why do I need to learn that? I can do it on my calculator…blah blah”

That really puts a teacher on the spot. And that is just the beginning; learning tables, multiplying and dividing by hand, are in danger of becoming a chore instead of a challenge. Who wants to wasted their time mastering a complex skill that a machine can do in a fraction of the time?

Vedic Mathematics was recently discovered in ancient India after the Vedic literature were uncovered and decoded. It is a brand new way of mental calculation and offers amazing alternative to mental math strategies. Some of the Vedic Math mental strategies and methods are so original and unique that it has cause a revolution in recent years as it is becoming more and more acceptable to the mainstream math experts.

Well….Vedic Math is attractive for a good many reasons. It is extremely easy to learn, it is effective and it has a profound simplicity to it. Most of all, because you can achieve brilliant results in a relatively short time, it encourages the learner to learn in a fun way. Imagine, what better incentive to learn your math tables than to find you can beat your calculator timing with your own mental calculaitons?

Now, these may seem like math tricks, more a part of old-fashioned rote-learning than a route to better fundamental understanding. But, the real magic of Vedic Math is that it has so many choices, it encourages ordinary kids and adults alike to analyse their sums to find the easiest way to a solution.

There is no correct way to solve a problem, and finding the most suitable math trick leads the learner gently towards a more mathematical and logical way of thinking. Vedic Math is non-restrictive, and it is all about looking for patterns and ways to simplify a problem. This leads to a flowing, flexible approach and develops excellent lateral thinking skills.

If you are passionate about the beauty of mathematics, you will find Vedic Math alternative approach fascinating territory. The 16 Sutras and 13 Corollaries of Vedic Math form a useful platform to speed up your mental calculations dramatically, and you will enjoy finding ways to link them back to traditional western Mental Math. Many of them have neat algebraic proofs!



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