BY CLARA A RODRIGUES|NT NETWORK

 Mathematics is rarely everyone’s cup of tea. But as Dean Schlicter says, ‘Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics’. It is inescapable. Right from rigorous mathematical classes in schools to having to do often taxing mental calculations when you go shopping, our every transaction has got something to do with numbers.

Love them or hate them, there is precious little you can do to get rid of them.  

The usefulness and indispensability of having knowledge of numbers was realised even by Vedic scholars who devised 16 umbrella formulae that promise to solve any mathematical problem. These formulae, which are in the form of techniques help you to do quick calculations, solve conundrums of problems, and with practice can be done mentally with relative ease.

The Indian concept of solving sums using these methods are a sure way in finding out answers.  Says Ms Purva Mandlik, a teacher at the Drishti' Vedic Maths class, “all sums can be worked out using Vedic methods. What we do is simplify the formulas to adapt its use to different age groups.” She adds, “Mathematics is essential in all life situations. From shopping to carrying out business transactions, we all have to deal with math and Vedic maths helps solve sums like additions, subtractions, integration etc.”  

At school, often losing marks for missing a step or sometimes getting the whole thing muddled up with the wrong answer only because you made a small error somewhere, brings unpleasant memories. Perhaps if you had known Vedic maths, you could have double checked and detected the exact place where you went wrong. Ms Mandlik says, “What is taught in schools is important. But one has to remember so much. You miss a step and the whole sum goes wrong. Vedic maths teaches you to solve sums in a shorter manner.” The Vedic method differs from the long winding method that is taught in schools.

Despite its pluses, Vedic math should not be viewed as a replacement for math that is taught academically. But it can be used to an advantage as a supplement. It can be an aid to school teaching and be used to verify the end result or tally the final answer, or to know where you are going wrong etc.

The accuracy of the answers got from solving a problem the Vedic way can any day beat a calculator. And then as Ms Mandlik points out, “Even while finding answers on a calculator so often have I made mistakes while entering in numbers and as such I find Vedic math the most precise.”

(Drishti' Vedic Maths classes will start shortly in Calangute. Those who are 12 years and above can join. For details contact 9822134813).