Vedic Math for Kids: Quick Tips for Busy Parents

Benefits of Learning Vedic Math

Practice Pattern-Specific Calculation Methods

Some Vedic techniques reduce the steps for problems with a matching number pattern. A child may get faster at those practiced problems, but there is no support here for a universal “10–15 times faster” claim.

By the way, I'm not saying they should ditch regular math. Vedic math is meant to go alongside it, not replace it.

Provides Rules to Retrieve and Apply

Vedic math is presented through sutras and sub-sutras. A learner has to remember which rule applies and then execute its steps. That can organize practice, but it is not evidence of a general improvement in memory or attention.

A useful lesson should show both the steps and why the identity works, then ask the learner to identify which number patterns fit the rule.

Builds Familiarity With Practiced Problems

As children practice a specific rule, they may need fewer written steps for that rule. Keep paper available for checking, and do not present the method as a treatment for math anxiety.

Sidenote: Even the founder of Google mentioned this (though he was talking about math in general), so I had to put it on the homepage.

I'd even go as far as saying Vedic math can make math fun! It has all these neat shortcuts and tricks which turns math into a kind of game or puzzle.

Basic Vedic Math Tricks and Techniques

Here are some Vedic math techniques your kid can use. This stuff is pure gold for speeding up mental math.

Basic Calculation Tricks

For addition and subtraction, here's a killer technique called the Closest 10s method.

Let's say you're adding 47 and 28. Here's how you do it:

1. Round 47 up to 50 (that's 3 more) and 28 up to 30 (that's 2 more)
2. Now add 50 and 30 - that's 80
3. Subtract what you added to round up (3 + 2 = 5)
4. 80–5 = 75

For subtraction, it works similarly. Let's subtract 18 from 42:

1. Round 42 down to 40 (that's 2 less) and 18 up to 20 (that's 2 more)
2. 40–20 = 20
3. Add back what you subtracted and added (2 + 2 = 4)
4. 20 + 4 = 24

Now, for multiplication, Vedic math has some tricks up its sleeve too. Want to multiply by 5? Just divide by 2 and then multiply by 10.

So 18 × 5 = (18 ÷ 2) × 10 = 9 × 10 = 90.

For multiplying by 9, multiply by 10 and subtract the original number.

So 7 × 9 = (7 × 10) - 7 = 70–7 = 63.

Special Number Tricks

Now, let me blow your mind with some special number tricks.

First up, squaring numbers ending in 5. It's easier than you think:

1. Take the tens digit and multiply it by its successor
2. Slap 25 on the end

Let's square 65:

1. The tens digit is 6. Multiply 6 by its successor (7): 6 × 7 = 42
2. Add 25 to the end
3. So 65² = 4225

Works every time, like clockwork. Try it with 95²:

1. 9 × 10 = 90
2. Add 25
3. So 95² = 9025

Advanced Vedic Math Tricks for Older Kids

Multiplication of Large Numbers

Vedic math has a powerful technique for multiplying big numbers in your head. It's called "Vertically and Crosswise" or "Urdhva Tiryagbhyam" if you want to sound fancy.

Here's how it works for two 2-digit numbers:

1. Multiply the ones digits
2. Cross-multiply the tens and ones digits and add the results
3. Multiply the tens digits

Let's take 23 x 14 as an example:

1. 3 x 4 = 12 (ones digit is 2, carry 1)
2. (2 x 4) + (3 x 1) = 8 + 3 = 11 (add carried 1 to get 12)
3. 2 x 1 = 2

Boom! The answer is 322.

As a bonus, this worked for bigger numbers! You just break it down and apply this technique in stages.

Complex Algebraic Operations

Now, let's talk about solving complex algebraic operations. Vedic math has a sutra (that's a fancy word for a rule) called "Anurupye Shunyamanyat." It means "if one is in ratio, the other is zero." Sounds complicated, right? Well, it's not. Let me show you how it works for quadratic equations.

This sutra is particularly useful for solving quadratic equations. Here's how it can be applied:

For a quadratic equation in the form ax² + bx + c = 0:

1. Multiply 'a' and 'c'
2. Find two numbers whose product is 'ac' and sum is 'b'
3. Rewrite the middle term using these two numbers
4. Apply the sutra to solve the equation

Take an equation like x² + 7x + 12 = 0. Here's how you crack it:

1. Multiply the first and last terms: 1 x 12 = 12
2. Find two numbers that multiply to give 12 and add up to 7 (the middle term coefficient). In this case, it's 3 and 4.
3. Rewrite the equation: x² + 3x + 4x + 12 = 0
4. Group terms: (x² + 3x) + (4x + 12) = 0
5. Factor out common terms: x(x + 3) + 4(x + 3) = 0
6. Apply the sutra: (x + 4)(x + 3) = 0
7. Solve: x = -4 or x = -3

Just like that, you've solved a quadratic equation faster than you can say "polynomial."

Division Techniques

Now, let's talk about division. Vedic math has a technique called the "Nikhilam Sutra" or the base method. It's perfect for when your divisor is close to a power of 10.

Here's how it works:

1. Pick a base (usually the nearest power of 10 to your divisor)
2. Express the divisor as a deviation from this base
3. Do some simple multiplications and subtractions

Let's divide 432 by 98:

1. Base is 100 (nearest to 98)
2. 98 = 100–2
3. So, 432 ÷ 98 = 432 ÷ (100–2)

Now, follow these steps: a) 432 ÷ 100 = 4.32 b) 4.32 x 2 = 8.64 c) 4.32 + 0.0864 = 4.4064

The answer is about 4.41.

These techniques are like having a supercomputer in your head.

Books for Learning Vedic Math

If your kid is serious about mastering Vedic math, they need the right tools. Here are some books that'll give them the edge:

"The Curious Hats of Magical Maths" by James Glover

This one's for the youngsters, around 8–9 years old. It's like dipping your toes in the Vedic math pool - easy, fun, and it'll get you started on the right foot.

"Vedic Math Workbook 1" published by Om Books International

This is where the rubber meets the road. It's packed with problems for kids 8 and up to solve using Vedic techniques. Remember what I always say - practice makes perfect. This book gives you that practice.

"Vedic Mathematics for Students" by Nava Vision

This is part of a 5-level series that covers all 16 Vedic math sutras and 13 sub-sutras. It's like the Bible of Vedic math.

Now, don't just buy these books and let them collect dust. Remind your kids to read them. Use them. And make them a part of their daily routine!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and that it motivated you to teach your kids Vedic math (or any of its contemporaries).

See you in the next chapter 🙂 Be well.