Calculations Made Easy
Vedic Mathematics was rediscovered from ancient Sanskrit texts earlier this century by Bharati Krishna Tirthaji (1884-1960). He found that all problems in pure and applied mathematics can be solved easily with the aid of sixteen simple Sutras, or word-formulae: for example All From 9 and the Last From 10 or vertically and Crosswise. This may sound incredible but the Vedic system offers a very different approach to mathematics that is both powerful and fun.
The Vedic system is so easy it is really a system of mental mathematics. It has a coherence and beauty that make it very attractive and some of the methods are truly amazing in their efficiency and simplicity. Many schools now teach Vedic Mathematics and a common response from children is:
"Why were we not shown this before?"
Triples (4th edition revised 1999)
Author: K. Williams (first published 1984), new edition 1999. Comb bound.,168 pages, A4. ISBN 1 902517 00 8 Price: £11.25 -
What is Vedic Mathematics?
Vedic Mathematics is the name given to the ancient system of Mathematics which was rediscovered 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 directing the student to the appropriate method of solution.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the Vedic system is its coherence. Instead of a hotch-potch of unrelated techniques the whole system is beautifully interrelated and unified: the general multiplication method, for example, is easily reversed to allow one-line divisions and the simple squaring method can be reversed to give one-line square roots. And these are all easily understood.
This unifying quality is very satisfying; it makes mathematics easy and enjoyable and encourages innovation.
Problems Solved Immediately
In the Vedic system 'difficult' problems or huge sums can often be solved immediately by the Vedic method.
These striking and beautiful methods are just a part of a complete system of mathematics which is far more systematic than the modern 'system'. Vedic Mathematics manifests the coherent and unified structure of mathematics and the methods are complementary, direct and easy.
The simplicity of Vedic Mathematics means that calculations can be carried out mentally (though the methods can also be written down).
There are many advantages in using a flexible, mental system. Pupils can invent their own methods; they are not limited to the one 'correct' method. This leads to more creative, interested and intelligent pupils.
Interest in the Vedic system is growing in education where mathematics teachers are looking for something better and finding the Vedic system is the answer.
Research is being carried out in many areas including the effects of learning Vedic Maths on children; developing new, powerful but easy applications of the Vedic Sutras in geometry, calculus, computing etc.
But the real beauty and effectiveness of Vedic Mathematics cannot be fully appreciated without actually practising the system. One can then see that it is perhaps the most refined and efficient mathematical system possible.
Tirthaji and the rediscovery of Vedic Mathematics
The ancient system of Vedic Mathematics was rediscovered from the Sanskrit texts known as the Vedas, between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960).
At the beginning of the twentieth century, when there was a great interest in the Sanskrit texts in Europe, Bharati Krsna tells us some scholars ridiculed certain texts which were headed 'Ganita Sutras'- which means mathematics.
They could find no mathematics in the translation and dismissed the texts as rubbish.
Bharati Krsna, who was himself a scholar of Sanskrit, Mathematics, History and Philosophy, studied these texts and after lengthy and careful investigation was able to reconstruct the mathematics of the Vedas.
According to his research all of mathematics is based on sixteen Sutras, or word-formulae.
Development of Further Material
A copy of the book was brought to London a few years later and some English mathematicians (Kenneth Williams, Andrew Nicholas, Jeremy Pickles) took an interest in it.
They extended the introductory material given in Bharati Krsna's book and gave many courses and talks in London.
A book (now out of print), Introductory Lectures on Vedic Mathematics, was published in 1981.
Between 1981 and 1987 Andrew Nicholas made four trips to India initially to find out what further was known about it.
Following these journeys a renewed interest was taken by scholars and teachers in India. It seems that once they saw that some people in the West took Vedic Mathematics seriously they realised they had something special.
St James' School, then in Queensgate, London, and other schools began to teach the Vedic system, with notable success.
Today Vedic Mathematics is taught widely in schools in India and a great deal of research is being done.
Three further books appeared in 1984, the year of the centenary of the birth of Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji. These were published by The Vedic Mathematics Research Group.
Maharishi Schools
When Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began to explain the significance and marvelous qualities of Vedic Mathematics in 1988, Maharishi Schools around the world began to teach it.
At the school in Skelmersdale, Lancashire a full course was written and trialled for 11 to 14 year old pupils, called The Cosmic Computer. (Maharishi had said that the Sutras of Vedic Mathematics are the software for the cosmic computer- the cosmic computer runs the entire universe on every level and in every detail).
This course was published in March 1998.
An in-depth discovery of Vedic maths can be found at http://www.vedicmaths.org/ . (Courtesy of vedicmaths.org).
