Math magic

Dhanil Vira (15) would get scared earlier when it came to solving math problems. His overall percentage would go down because of his poor marks in mathematics. After getting trained in Vedic Maths — an ancient and alternate method of solving mathematic problems, he has begun scoring well in exams. Vira who used to get 60 per cent in the subject now gets around 70-75 per cent. “I am looking forward to cracking the competitive exams too,” says Vira.

Akhilesh Kumar Agarwal, a 12-year-old student from the DAV Public School in Airoli learnt Vedic Maths two years ago. “I can now solve problems at a faster speed and at a lesser time,” says the class VII student. He has cracked competitive exams such as the National Science Olympiad and the International Mathematics Olympiad.

Vedic Maths is an ancient system of Indian mathematics which is said to be mentioned in the Atharva Veda. It was rediscovered between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji. There are total 16 sutras or formulas in Vedic Maths which makes solving tedious problems much easier and faster.

The simplicity of Vedic Mathematics is 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.

Priyanka Verma, a Vedic Maths trainer learnt the subject from the Tricks and Tips Learning Institute in Bangalore. “It takes a lot of time and patience to learn this subject,” says Verma, who is now all set to conduct Vedic Maths classes. Vedic Maths increases the concentration level and logical thinking. Anyone can learn the subject provided he/she knows the tables till nine.  “The teaching method is the same for all the age groups, but it is better if people are divided according to age and knowledge,” says Verma.

In Vedic Maths classes, the basics are taught first and thereafter the base numbers and derivations. “In Vedic Maths, creativity is used,” says Vivek Astunkar (44), a retired air force officer who now teaches Vedic Maths. When he started teaching eight years back, people were not aware of this subject. “People would call me panditji as they thought that it was a spiritual subject,” says Astunkar.

Around 50 per cent students who come to Astunkar for classes suffer from maths phobia. But after attending a couple of sessions, they become more confident. Some students who get around 50-60 per cent land up scoring 75-80 per cent in maths in a short span of three months.

He teaches students of classes V to X and his Math-Magic course has two modules — maths and memory. “It is important to make the subject easier to understand for the students. They should enjoy it rather than learn it forcefully,” says Astunkar. Vedic Maths is slowly gaining momentum in India. “Many parents are encouraging their children to learn Vedic Maths,” he says.

“I conduct workshops on Vedic Maths in many schools, as the demand for teaching this subject in schools in on the  rise,” says Avni Uchal, a Vedic Maths teacher based in Ghatkopar.

Uchal conducts two levels of Vedic Maths courses — basic and advanced. The fees for each course is Rs750. Astunkar’s Vedic Maths course consists of five sessions, each session lasting for two and half hours.

The fees for the course is Rs1,500. Calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square and square root, cube and cube root, etc. can be done using this method. “We also teach verification methods so that the children can verify their sums,” says Uchal. So, the next time you’re bogged with a problem, you know the way to go.