What is Vedic Mathematics?

Books on Vedic Maths

Tutorial Vedic Maths

Vedic Mathematics
(Preface, introduction and foreward from
the original book on Vedic Mathematics)
Revered Guruji used to say that he had reconstructed the sixteen mathematical
formulae from the Atharvaveda after assiduous research and ‘Tapas’ (austerity)
for about eight years in the forests surrounding Sringeri. Obviously these
formulae are not to be found in the present recensions of Atharvaveda. They
were actually reconstructed, on the basis of intuitive revelation, from materials
scattered here and there in the Atharvaveda.

History of Mathematics in India

Indic Mathematics: India and the Scientific Revolution

By Dr. David Gray
___________________________________

Vedic Mathematics

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.
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.

The Vedic Mathematics Sutras

This list of sutras is taken from the book Vedic Mathematics, which
includes a full list of the sixteen Sutras in Sanskrit, but in some cases a
translation of the Sanskrit is not given in the text and comes from
elsewhere.

This formula 'On the Flag' is not in the list given in Vedic Mathematics,
but is referred to in the text.

The Main Sutras

By one more than the one before.

All from 9 and the last from 10.
Vertically and Cross-wise
Transpose and Apply
If the Samuccaya 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

The Sub Sutras

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 Totalling 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

Try a Sutra
Mark Gaskell introduces an alternative system of
calculation based on Vedic philosophy

At the Maharishi School in Lancashire we have developed a

course on Vedic mathematics for key stage 3 that covers the
national curriculum. The results have been impressive: maths
lessons are much livelier and more fun, the children enjoy their
work more and expectations of what is possible are very much
higher. Academic performance has also greatly improved: the first
class to complete the course managed to pass their GCSE a year
early and all obtained an A grade.
Vedic maths comes from the Vedic tradition of India. The Vedas
are the most ancient record of human experience and knowledge,
passed down orally for generations and written down about 5,000
years ago. Medicine, architecture, astronomy and many other
branches of knowledge, including maths, are dealt with in the texts.
Perhaps it is not surprising that the country credited with
introducing our current number system and the invention of
perhaps the most important mathematical symbol, 0, may have
more to offer in the field of maths.
The remarkable system of Vedic maths was rediscovered from
ancient Sanskrit texts early last century. The system is based on
16 sutras or aphorisms, such as: "by one more than the one
before" and "all from nine and the last from 10". These describe
natural processes in the mind and ways of solving a whole range of
mathematical problems. For example, if we wished to subtract 564
from 1,000 we simply apply the sutra "all from nine and the last
from 10". Each figure in 564 is subtracted from nine and the last
figure is subtracted from 10, yielding 436.

1,000 - 564 = 436

1,000 - 5 6 4

subtract subtract subtract

from from from
9 9 10
↓ ↓ ↓
4 3 6
This can easily be extended to solve problems such as 3,000
minus 467. We simply reduce the first figure in 3,000 by one and
then apply the sutra, to get the answer 2,533. We have had a lot of
fun with this type of sum, particularly when dealing with money
examples, such as £10 take away £2. 36. Many of the children
have described how they have challenged their parents to races at
home using many of the Vedic techniques - and won. This
particular method can also be expanded into a general method,
dealing with any subtraction sum.
The sutra "vertically and crosswise" has many uses. One very
useful application is helping children who are having trouble with
their tables above 5x5. For example 7x8. 7 is 3 below the base of
10, and 8 is 2 below the base of 10.

7 x 8 = 56

7 3 (3 is the difference from base)

8 2
_________

A 7 3 starting at the left subtract

crosswise either 8-3 or
8 2 7-2 to get 5, the first figure
__________ of the answer
5

B 7 3 Multiply vertically
x to get 6 (3 x 2)
8 2
__________
5 6

The whole approach of Vedic maths is suitable for slow learners,

as it is so simple and easy to use.
The sutra "vertically and crosswise" is often used in long
multiplication. Suppose we wish to multiply 32 by 44. We multiply
vertically 2x4=8. Then we multiply crosswise and add the two
results: 3x4+4x2=20, so put down 0 and carry 2. Finally we multiply
vertically 3x4=12 and add the carried 2 =14. Result: 1,408.
 32 x 44 = 1,408

A 3 2 Starting from the right

x multiply vertically
4 4 2x4=8

B 3 2 Multiply crosswise

3 x 4 = 12 and 2 x 4 = 8
4 4 Add them together
_______
0 8 3 x 4 + 2 x 4 = 20
2 Put down 0 and carry 2

C 3 2 Finally multiply vertically

x 3 x 4 = 12 and add the
4 4 carried over 2 = 14
_______________
14 0 8
2

We can extend this method to deal with long multiplication of

numbers of any size. The great advantage of this system is that the
answer can be obtained in one line and mentally. By the end of
Year 8, I would expect all students to be able to do a "3 by 2" long
multiplication in their heads. This gives enormous confidence to the
pupils who lose their fear of numbers and go on to tackle harder
maths in a more open manner.
All the techniques produce one-line answers and most can be dealt
with mentally, so calculators are not used until Year 10. The
methods are either "special", in that they only apply under certain
conditions, or general. This encourages flexibility and innovation on
the part of the students.
Multiplication can also be carried out starting from the left, which
can be better because we write and pronounce numbers from left
to right. Here is an example of doing this in a special method for
long multiplication of numbers near a base (10, 100, 1,000 etc), for
example, 96 by 92. 96 is 4 below the base and 92 is 8 below.
We can cross-subtract either way: 96-8=88 or 92-4=88. This is the
first part of the answer and multiplying the "differences" vertically
4x8=32 gives the second part of the answer.
 96 x 92 = 8,832

A 96 4 (4 is the difference from base)

92 8 (8 is the difference from base)

_____________

B 96 4 Subtract crosswise from the left

92 8 96 - 8 = 88 or 92 - 4 = 88
______________
88

C 96 4 Multiply vertically
x 4 x 8 = 32
92 8
____________
88 32

This works equally well for numbers above the base:

105x111=11,655. Here we add the differences. For
205x211=43,255, we double the first part of the answer, because
200 is 2x100.
We regularly practise the methods by having a mental test at the
beginning of each lesson. With the introduction of a non-calculator
paper at GCSE, Vedic maths offers methods that are simpler, more
efficient and more readily acquired than conventional methods.
There is a unity and coherence in the system which is not found in
conventional maths. It brings out the beauty and patterns in
numbers and the world around us. The techniques are so simple
they can be used when conventional methods would be
cumbersome.
When the children learn about Pythagoras's theorem in Year 9 we
do not use a calculator; squaring numbers and finding square roots
(to several significant figures) is all performed with relative ease
and reinforces the methods that they would have recently learned.
Mark Gaskell is head of maths at the Maharishi School in Lancashire

www.vedicmaths.org 'The Cosmic Computer'

by K Williams and M Gaskell, (also in an bridged
edition), Inspiration Books, 2 Oak Tree Court,
Skelmersdale, Lancs WN8 6SP. Tel: 01695 727 986.
Saturday school for primary teachers at
Manchester Metropolitan University on
October 7. See website.
19th May 2000 Times Education Supplement (Curriculum Special)
____________________________________________________

Books on Vedic Maths

VEDIC MATHEMATICS
Or Sixteen Simple Mathematical Formulae from the Vedas
The original introduction to Vedic Mathematics.
Author: Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji
Maharaja, 1965 (various reprints).
Paperback, 367 pages, A5 in size.
ISBN 81 208 0163 6 (cloth)
ISBN 82 208 0163 4 (paper)

MATHS OR MAGIC?
This is a popular book giving a brief outline of some of the Vedic
Mathematics methods.
Author: Joseph Howse. 1976
ISBN 0722401434
Currently out of print.

A PEEP INTO VEDIC MATHEMATICS

Mainly on recurring decimals.
Author: B R Baliga, 1979.
Pamphlet.

INTRODUCTORY LECTURES ON VEDIC MATHEMATICS

Following various lecture courses in London an interest arose for
printed material containing the course material. This book of 12
chapters was the result covering a range topics from elementary
arithmetic to cubic equations.
Authors: A. P. Nicholas, J. Pickles, K. Williams, 1982. Paperback,
166 pages, A4 size.

DISCOVER VEDIC MATHEMATICS

This has sixteen chapters each of which focuses on one of the
Vedic Sutras or sub-Sutras and shows many applications of each.
Also contains Vedic Maths solutions to GCSE and 'A' level
examination questions.
Author: K. Williams, 1984, Comb bound, 180 pages, A4.
ISBN 1 869932 01 3.
VERTICALLY AND CROSSWISE
This is an advanced book of sixteen chapters on one Sutra ranging
from elementary multiplication etc. to the solution of non-linear
partial differential equations. It deals with (i) calculation of common
functions and their series expansions, and (ii) the solution of
equations, starting with simultaneous equations and moving on to
algebraic, transcendental and differential equations.
Authors: A. P. Nicholas, K. Williams, J. Pickles (first published
1984), new edition 1999. Comb bound, 200 pages, A4.
ISBN 1 902517 03 2.

TRIPLES
This book shows applications of Pythagorean Triples (like 3,4,5). A
simple, elegant system for combining these triples gives
unexpected and powerful general methods for solving a wide range
of mathematical problems, with far less effort than conventional
methods use. The easy text fully explains this method which has
applications in trigonometry (you do not need any of those
complicated formulae), coordinate geometry (2 and 3 dimensions)
transformations (2 and 3 dimensions), simple harmonic motion,
astronomy etc., etc.
Author: K. Williams (first published 1984), new edition 1999. Comb
bound.,168 pages, A4.
ISBN 1 902517 00 8

VEDIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS OF SRI VISHNU SAHASTRANAMA

STOTRAM
Author: S.K. Kapoor, 1988. Hardback, 78 pages, A4 size.

ISSUES IN VEDIC MATHEMATICS

Proceedings of the National workshop on Vedic Mathematics 25-28
March 1988 at the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
Paperback, 139 pages, A5 in size.
ISBN 81 208 0944 0

THE NATURAL CALCULATOR

This is an elementary book on mental mathematics. It has a
detailed introduction and each of the nine chapters covers one of
the Vedic formulae. The main theme is mental multiplication but
addition, subtraction and division are also covered.
Author: K. Williams, 1991. Comb bound ,102 pages, A4 size.
ISBN 1 869932 04 8.

VEDIC MATHEMATICS FOR SCHOOLS BOOK 1

Is a first text designed for the young mathematics student of about
eight years of age, who have mastered the four basic rules
including times tables. The main Vedic methods used in his book
are for multiplication, division and subtraction. Introductions to
vulgar and decimal fractions, elementary algebra and vinculums
are also given.
Author: J.T,Glover, 1995. Paperback, 100 pages + 31 pages of
answers, A5 in size.
ISBN 81-208-1318-9.

JAGATGURU SHANKARACHARYA SHRI BHARATI KRISHNA TEERTHA

An excellent book giving details of the life of the man who
reconstructed the Vedic system.
Dr T. G. Pande, 1997
B. R. Publishing Corporation, Delhi-110052

INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC MATHEMATICS

Authors T. G. Unkalkar, S. Seshachala Rao, 1997
Pub: Dandeli Education Socety, Karnataka-581325

THE COSMIC COMPUTER COURSE

This covers Key Stage 3 (age 11-14 years) of the National
Curriculum for England and Wales. It consists of three books each
of which has a Teacher's Guide and an Answer Book. Much of the
material in Book 1 is suitable for children as young as eight and
this is developed from here to topics such as Pythagoras' Theorem
and Quadratic Equations in Book 3. The Teacher's Guide contains
a Summary of the Book, a Unified Field Chart (showing the whole
subject of mathematics and how each of the parts are related),
hundreds of Mental Tests (these revise previous work, introduce
new ideas and are carefully correlated with the rest of the course),
Extension Sheets (about 16 per book) for fast pupils or for extra
classwork, Revision Tests, Games, Worksheets etc.
Authors: K. Williams and M. Gaskell, 1998.
All Textbooks and Guides are A4 in size, Answer Books are A5.

GEOMETRY FOR AN ORAL TRADITION

This book demonstrates the kind of system that could have existed
before literacy was widespread and takes us from first principles to
theorems on elementary properties of circles. It presents direct,
immediate and easily understood proofs. These are based on only
one assumption (that magnitudes are unchanged by motion) and
three additional provisions (a means of drawing figures, the
language used and the ability to recognise valid reasoning). It
includes discussion on the relevant philosophy of mathematics and
is written both for mathematicians and for a wider audience.
Author: A. P. Nicholas, 1999. Paperback.,132 pages, A4 size.
ISBN 1 902517 05 9
THE CIRCLE REVELATION
This is a simplified, popularised version of "Geometry for an Oral
Tradition" described above. These two books make the methods
accessible to all interested in exploring geometry. The approach is
ideally suited to the twenty-first century, when audio-visual forms of
communication are likely to be dominant.
Author: A. P. Nicholas, 1999. Paperback, 100 pages, A4 size.
ISBN 1902517067

VEDIC MATHEMATICS FOR SCHOOLS BOOK 2

The second book in this series.
Author J.T. Glover , 1999.
ISBN 81 208 1670-6

Astronomica; Applications of Vedic Mathematics

To include prediction of eclipses and planetary positions,
spherical trigonometry etc.
Author Kenneth Williams, 2000.
ISBN 1 902517 08 3

Vedic Mathematics, Part 1

We found this book to be well-written, thorough and easy to read. It
covers a lot of the basic work in the original book by B. K. Tirthaji
and has plenty of examples and exercises.
Author S. Haridas
Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulapati K.M. Munshi Marg,
Mumbai - 400 007, India.

INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC MATHEMATICS – Part II

Authors T. G. Unkalkar, 2001
Pub: Dandeli Education Socety, Karnataka-581325

VEDIC MATHEMATICS FOR SCHOOLS BOOK 3

The third book in this series.
Author J.T. Glover , 2002.
Published by Motilal Banarsidass.

THE COSMIC CALCULATOR

Three textbooks plus Teacher's Guide plus Answer Book.
Authors Kenneth Williams and Mark Gaskell, 2002.
Published by Motilal Banarsidass.
TEACHER’S MANUALS – ELEMENTARY & INTERMEDIATE
Designed for teachers (of children aged 7 to 11 years, 9 to 14
years respectively) who wish to teach the Vedic system.
Author: Kenneth Williams, 2002.
Published by Inspiration Books.

TEACHER’S MANUAL – ADVANCED

Designed for teachers (of children aged 13 to 18 years) who wish
to teach the Vedic system.
Author: Kenneth Williams, 2003.
Published by Inspiration Books.

FUN WITH FIGURES (subtitled: Is it Maths or Magic?)

This is a small popular book with many illustrations, inspiring
quotes and amusing anecdotes. Each double page shows a neat
and quick way of solving some simple problem. Suitable for any
age from eight upwards.
Author: K. Williams, 1998. Paperback, 52 pages, size A6.
ISBN 1 902517 01 6.
Please note the Tutorial below is based on material from this book
'Fun with Figures'

Book review of 'Fun with Figures'

From 'inTouch', Jan/Feb 2000, the Irish National Teachers

Organisation (INTO) magazine.

"Entertaining, engaging and eminently 'doable', Williams' pocket

volume reveals many fascinating and useful applications of the
ancient Eastern system of Vedic Maths. Tackling many number
operations encountered between First and Sixth class, Fun with
Figures offers several speedy and simple means of solving or
double-checking class activities. Focusing throughout on skills
associated with mental mathematics, the author wisely places
them within practical life-related contexts."

"Compact, cheerful and liberally interspersed with amusing

anecdotes and aphorisms from the world of maths, Williams' book
will help neutralise the 'menace' sometimes associated with maths.
It's practicality, clear methodology, examples, supplementary
exercises and answers may particularly benefit and empower the
weaker student."

"Certainly a valuable investment for parents and teachers of

children aged 7 to 12."
Reviewed by Gerard Lennon, Principal, Ardpatrick NS, Co
Limerick.

The Tutorial below is based on material from this book 'Fun with
Figures'
___________________________________

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