Karnataka   

Multiplication at his finger tips

M.P. Siddharth

Chitradurga: His memory is too sharp to beat, particularly if challenged to solve lengthy mathematical calculations. His amazing skill of reciting the multiplication tables up to 2000 distinguishes eight-year-old M.P. Siddharth from the other children of his age.

A student of Class 3, Siddharth has shown immense interest in learning and solving mathematical calculations. He takes anyone by surprise when he effortlessly recites the tables of any number that falls between 2 and 2000. On an average, Siddharth solves a five-digit multiplication problem in 25 seconds and a three-digit division problem in just 6 seconds. “He began showing interest in mathematics at the age of four when he asked me to teach him the tables after seeing a kid reciting them at a school programme,” said his mother Mala Pradeep.

Ms. Mala who runs a memory technique centre for children for the past one year, said that when she taught Siddharth table 6, he began practising on further tables on his own. “Even before he was taught other tables, he learnt till 1000 tables,” she said. Siddharth did not stop there, and went on to tackle the tables up to 2000.

Ms. Mala said Siddharth has been achieving cent per cent score in mathematics in school.

To check his ability, he was compared with children of his age and elders by asking them to recite tables. A Class 8 student, Anannya, recited up to 1000 table, which she said was possible because of her regular practice, while a Class 10 student, Vivek, could read only up to 25 tables.

When asked what made mathematics interesting, Siddharth said: “ I just like it.”

Siddharth was honoured with the Little Genius Award for his extraordinary talent, by a private organisation which holds mathematics competition for children.

Siddharth adores cartoon programmes on television and wants to become a soldier. “Our teacher said that soldiers are very good people, so I want to be a soldier,” he said, innocently.

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