The 16 Sutras of Vedic mathematics

Vedic mathematics is an extraordinary topics. It is amazing how the Indian vedic tradition, old at least 5,000 years knew about this way of doing mathematics that is closer to magic than it is to science.

All science and skills of Vedic mathematics are contained in the 16 so-called Sutras or sacred formulas. Between 1911 and 1918, Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji rediscovered this ancient system of mathematics. According to his research all mathematics can be reduced to 16 Sutras or formulas. These formulas are nothing else but a short sentence that can be expressed in words.

Thus, mathematics can be simple and fun, and need not be blindly memorized. Doing mathematics this way promotes creativity, and intelligence. 

The firs Sutra is "Ekadhikena Purvena" It means "By one more than the previous one".

It can be used in many occasions, for example, if we wanted to multiply squares of numbers ending in five.

Let us take 25x25.

25x25=(2x(2+1)),25=(2x3),25=625

The letter portion is multiplied by itself, (5x5) and the former is multiplied by one more than itself (2 by 3) resulting in the correct answer 625.

Try some examples connected to the second Sutra, Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah, or All from nine and the last from ten.

Related books:

Vedic Mathematics by By Bharati Krishna Tirtha, Vasudeva Sharana Agrawala

Jain explains - Sacred Geometry & Vedic Mathematics