If a phobia against mathematics has presented you with a mental roadblock, the 'Vedic' technique may well provide a route to freedom.
Vedic Mathematics is the name given to an ancient system of calculations based on simple rules and principles for any numerical task, whether it is arithmetic, algebra, geometry or trigonometry. Exponents of the system, who are visiting Dubai on a world tour, claim it can also be achieved without even needing to scribble sums on a piece of paper.
"It helps a person to solve any maths problem 10 to 15 times faster," said Divesh R. Shah, an expert in the ancient Indian system.
He said Vedic mathematics is a remarkable system of calculation which lay buried for centuries until it was rediscovered about 100 years ago.
"It was all written in ancient Indian scriptures. At the beginning of the 20th century, some mathematicians looked at the age old scriptures and attempted to decipher it. Vedic mathematics is all about simple calculation and it can be easily mastered with practice.
"People only need to know the tables up to nine and there is no need for scratch work, increased mental calculations or deep concentration. For example, if you give me 30 digits to add by using the Vedic technique I would be able to give you the answer in less than a minute."
Shah added that the system would be a boost to any teachers looking for an alternative approach to make the subject more innovative and enjoyable for school pupils. The technique is said to be easy to implement in schools and experts claim to have found success in encouraging people who found difficulty with maths to grasp the subject.
"I had taken a couple of sessions with pupils at the Millennium School in Dubai and they responded very quickly. Some even wrote to me later to express their appreciation and asked whether I would provide more sessions."
"It (the example in the box) could all be done mentally," said Shah who has now been invited to give similar session at schools in London.
Lakshmi Ramachandran, principal of Millennium School, said: "We have held two sessions in our school and both were attended by more than 200 pupils. The excitement was all pervasive in the auditorium and the children were all so animated.
"The teachers and pupils were all taking part and enjoyed the sessions immensely. Sure, I am a little bit wiser myself and could now multiply 11 digit numbers in a jiffy. I think the success of the technique also has a lot to do with the manner in which Shah was taking the sessions, which went for more than an hour."
How to calculate with ease* If you want to find the square of 53 (53 x 53). * All you have to do is take the square of 3, i.e. 9.* Now multiply 5 and 3 = 15* Double it to make 30* Write 0 and carry forward 3.* Now take the square of 5, i.e. 25* Add 3 to it = 28* Therefore the answer is 2809.
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