Realise ancient mathematical secrets
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
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What does Vedic Maths really mean?
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MAGICAL MATHS: Avid learners
The Sanskrit word Veda means knowledge. And all the four Vedas namely — Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda are a storehouse of information on every aspect of human life. As students there's a lot one can learn from them as well. Athavaveda, for example, deals with subjects like mathematics, engineering, architecture, astrology, medicine and alchemy. Vedic mathematics is one such offering, which is derived from certain ganita sutras in that scripture and was discovered by Sankaracharya of Puri, Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji. People often mistake Vedic mathematics as something to do with the Hindu religion, but the fact is that it derives that name only because it is derived from the Veda. Vedic maths contains 16 formulae that can be used to solve mathematical problems without the use of any calculation aid.
Power course
Rajyalakshmi KrishnaIyer, a maths teacher and former principal of Chirac School, has been teaching vedic maths to interested students. She says, "Many people are still not aware of this method. It's a very good and a powerful method to ward off maths phobia. It is so simple and interesting that students will feel that they are playing with numbers. As you practise, one can see patterns coming out of numbers."
Vedic mathematics trains the learners to use logic and reasoning to solve even the most complicated problems without taking the cumbersome steps. For example, to find the sum of 267 and 98, one just has to add 100 to 267 and reduce the sum by 2. "This is especially very handy for students taking competitive exams, where one needs to find the right answer in the quickest possible time. Students of Std VI and above can easily understand and use these methods in solving everyday sums," explains Rajyalakshmi.
In spite of its innumerable plus points, vedic mathematics cannot be introduced into the regular curriculum because it doesn't have a fixed method to solve a problem. "There's a different method for different set of numbers, as a result it is not possible to set uniform guidelines. But I used it to teach my students informally and they found it very helpful."
Rajyalakshmi is to conduct a summer camp on Vedic mathematics. There are to be three such sessions.
Each session of 15 days will cost Rs. 500 and will be for a three-hour duration.
"I will teach algebra and geometry through origami, which is yet another powerful medium for learning.
Other than that I will also conduct mathematical puzzles and brainteasers. My ultimate aim is to spread awareness about it and can enjoy its benefits."
For details contact: 27038142
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