Vedic Mathematics- An Exploration of Indian Intellectual Tradition

Abstract

“It is tempting to think of them (Indians) as counter scientists….. Let us not forget that among the great accomplishments of the Indian thinkers were the invention of Zero, and of the Binary number system a thousand years before the West”- Briggs of NASA, California, in Journal of Artificial Intelligence, Spring, 85( Puri, 1988).

Vedic Mathematics presents innovative computational methods that aim to revolutionize current challenges in mathematics education (Puri & Weinless, 1988). It encompasses more than just a collection of novel computational methods but a different approach based on pattern recognition (Puri, 1991). This system applies to both elementary and advanced mathematics (Nicholas, Williams, & Pickles, 1984). The effectiveness of this system lies in the nature of the sutras, which often describe intuitive problem-solving methods (Puri & Weinless, 1988). For example, to find the sum of 267 and 98, instead of cumbersome arithmetic (Trafton, 1978), one might add 100 and subtract 2 to get 365. The Vedic system teaches such methods systematically, providing various strategies for any sum. This enhances strategic variety and keeps the subject engaging by focusing on underlying patterns and relationships (Starkey & Gelman, 1982; Stoddard, 1962).It is a mental system that keeps the mind alert and agile, developing our brain to high levels (Reyes, 1984).