Vedic Mathematics

Vedic mathematics is an ancient system for calculating large and complex equations mentally. It was discovered in the sacred Hindu scripts, the Vedas. The Vedas, written around 1500 - 900 BCE, are an ancient Indian text containing a record of human experience and knowledge. Included in the Vedas was an ancient system of mathematics devised to enable arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry to be solved mentally.

The system follows 16 principles, also known as sutras or aphorisms, which are word formulae that even a child can memorize. The Sutras describe natural ways of solving mathematic problems. Some example of the Sutras are: "By one more than the one before", "All from 9 & the last from 10", and "Vertically & Crosswise". These 16 one-line formulae, which can be easily memorized, enables one to solve long mathematical problems quickly.

Numbers Near Ten:12 x 14 = ?
1) 14 is 4 more than 10
2) add 4 to 12: 12 + 4 = 16
3) multiply the last 2 digits: 2 x 4 = 8
4) Put the numbers together: 168
5) 12 x 14 = 168

Multiplying 2 Digit Numbers Example1: 23 x 41 = ?
1) Multiply the first digit of each number: 2 x 4 = 8
2) Cross multiply the digits and add: (2 x 1) + (3 x 4) = (2) + (12) = 14
3) Multiply the last digit in each number: 3 x 1 = 3
4) We now have three numbers in order: 8, 14, 3
5) Lastly, we put the numbers together: (8 + 1),4,3 = 943
6) 23 x 41 = 943

Multiplying 2 Digit Numbers Example 2: 36 x 45 = ?
1) Multiply the first digit of each number: 3 x 4 = 12
2) Cross multiply the digits and add: (3 x 5) + (6 x 4) = (15) + (24) = 39
3) Multiply the last digit in each number: 6 x 5 = 30
4) We now have three numbers in order: 12, 39, 30
5) Put the numbers together: 1,(2+3),(9+3),0 = 1,5,12,0 = 1,(5+1),2,0 = 1620
6) 36 x 45 = 1620