The 5 best mental calculation methods in the world

Today you can define mental math in several different ways. Some would say that memorizing multiplication tables and remembering the solutions can be part of mental math. Some would say that the ability to perform simple calculations in your head may be mental math.

The web dictionary defines mental mathematics as “Calculate an exact answer without using pencil and paper or other physical aids.”

Today there are five methods available to learn and practice mental math.

Let’s start with the first one called ‘Learn by heart’ or better known as the memorization method where your teachers ask you to catch boring multiplication tables. It not only kills the child’s interest in mathematics but also causes him to develop a hatred of the subject for the rest of the years he studies it. This system gives its ardent devotee some measure of success initially, as he’s able to answer easy problems, but then when the supposedly bigger application problems arise, the steam almost runs out.

The second one gives you a good degree of success and I would highly recommend it to the younger ones. He hails from China and is popular under the name The Abacus (also known as Soroban in Japan). An abacus is a calculating tool, often built as a wooden frame with beads sliding on wires. With the use of this tool you can perform calculations related to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with ease. Gradually one practices with the tool in hand and then, when experienced, learns to do it without the tool. Then this tool mentally adjusts to the mind and then you can add, subtract, multiply and divide in seconds. This tool also improves the concentration levels of a child.

The main drawback of this system is that it focuses only on the 4 mathematical operations. Concepts beyond these operations, such as Algebra, Square Roots, Cubes, Squares, Calculus, and Geometry, etc., cannot be solved using it at all. It also takes more time to be able to fully understand the system, which is why you see courses on the abacus that extend to more than 2 years, leading the child to boredom and then to drop out of the course.

Another Chinese system collected mainly from the book. The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art design an approach to mathematics that focuses on finding the most general methods of solving problems. Entries in the book generally take the form of a problem statement, followed by a solution statement, and an explanation of the procedure that led to the solution.

The methods explained in this system can hardly be described as mental and lack speed to boot. The Chinese were definitely the most advanced of civilization thanks to the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, but if I had to choose between the two methods this culture offers, it would be the abacus.

If wars are 99.99% downside, sometimes they can also be upside because they lead to stories of hope and creativity. The following mental calculation system was developed during World War II in the Nazi concentration camp by a Ukrainian mathematician Jakow Trachtenberg to keep his mind occupied. What resulted is now known as the Trachtenberg Speed ​​Mathematics System and consists of Speedy Mental Methods for doing Mathematics.

The system consists of a series of easy-to-memorize patterns that allow arithmetic calculations to be carried out very quickly. It has broader applications than the abacus and, in addition to the four basic methods of operation, covers squares and square roots.

The method focuses mainly on multiplication and even gives patterns for multiplication by a particular number, say 5,6,7 and even 11 and 12. It then gives a general method for fast multiplication and a special two-finger method. After practicing the method myself, I realized that multiplication was a very applicable mental method, but the other methods of solving division and square roots were not very friendly and impossible to do mentally. I was in search of a much better and healthy method in which I could easily perform other operations as well. Another drawback of this system was that, like the abacus, it could not have a broader scope, that is, cover other fields such as algebra, calculus, trigonometry, cube roots, etc.

A recommendation from a friend of mine in the United States introduced me to what is known as the Kumon mathematical method. It was founded by Japanese educator Toru Kumon in the 1950s, and as of 2007, more than 4 million children were studying the Kumon Method in more than 43 different countries.

Students do not work together as a class but progress through the curriculum at their own pace, moving on to the next level when they have achieved mastery of the previous level. this sometimes involves repeating the same set of worksheets until the student achieves a satisfactory score within a specified time limit. At Kumon Centers in North America, the math program begins with very basic skills, such as pattern recognition and counting, and progresses to increasingly challenging subjects, such as calculus, probability, and statistics. The Kumon Method does not cover geometry as a separate subject, but it does provide enough geometry practice to meet the prerequisites for trigonometry, which is covered within the Kumon math program.

I was very impressed by the glamor that surrounded Kumon, but a look at its curriculum left me sorely disappointed. He is not mental at all. It doesn’t offer any special methods of doing math and one doesn’t improve his speed by doing Kumon Math. There is a set curriculum of worksheets that one does until mastery in the subject is achieved. Let’s say, for example, a sheet on Division: one would continue to do division with the conventional method until a satisfactory score was obtained, and then move on to a higher level. This certainly doesn’t make the division any faster and the process is certainly not mental.

A deep reflection on the reason for its tremendous popularity in the United States led me to conclude that the lack of a franchise business model of the abacus and the Trachtenberg speed system in the 1950s. The franchise model was instrumental in leading the way from one country to another. This is where Toru Kumon thrived.

Disappointed with other cultures in the world, my search made me look into my own Indian culture. What I found amazed me and so amazed me that I fell in love with the system and started training neighborhood students on it.

This is easily the World’s Fastest Mental Mathematics System called High Speed ​​Vedic Mathematics. It has its roots in the ancient Indian scriptures called the Vedas which mean ‘the source of knowledge’. With it you can not only add, subtract, multiply or divide, which is the limiting factor of the abacus, but you can also solve complex mathematics such as algebra, geometry, calculus and trigonometry. Some of the most advanced, complex and arduous problems can be solved using the Vedic Math method with extreme ease.

And all this with formulas of only 16 words written in Sanskrit.

High Speed ​​Vedic Math was founded by Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja who was the Sankaracharya (Monk of the Highest Order) of Govardhan Matha at Puri between 1911 and 1918. They are called “Vedics” because the sutras are contained in the atharva-veda – a branch of mathematics and engineering in ancient Indian scriptures.

High Speed ​​Vedic Math is much more systematic, simplified and unified than the conventional system. It is a mental calculation tool that encourages the development and use of intuition and innovation, while giving the student a lot of flexibility, fun and satisfaction . For his son, it means giving him a competitive edge, a way to optimize his performance and give him an edge in math and logic that will help him shine in the classroom and beyond.

Therefore, it is straightforward and easy to implement in schools – one reason behind its huge popularity between academics and students. It complements the Mathematics curriculum conventionally taught in schools by acting as a powerful control tool and goes to save precious time in exams.

The Trachtenberg Method is often compared to Vedic Mathematics. In fact, even some of the multiplication methods are surprisingly similar. The Trachtenberg system is the closest to the Vedic System in comparison and ease of methods. But the ease and mental solvency of the other method, especially division, square roots, cube roots, algebraic equations, trigonometry, calculus, etc. they clearly give the Vedic system an advantage. It is even said that NASA is using some of the applications of this method in the field of artificial intelligence.

There are only 16 vedic math sutras or word formulas that one needs to practice in order to be proficient in vedic math system. Sutras or Word Math Formulas like Vertically and Crosswise, All from Nine and Last from ten help to solve complex problems with ease and also a single formula can be applied on two or more fields at the same time. The vertical and transverse formula is a gem with which one can multiply, find squares, solve simultaneous equations, and find the determinant of a matrix all at the same time.

If any of these methods are learned at an early age, a 14-year-old student can easily perform lightning-fast calculations during their exams and excel in them.

Vedic mathematics is rapidly gaining popularity in this millennium. It is being considered as the only suitable mental arithmetic system for a child, as it helps to develop her mental and numerical skills. The methods are new and practical and only teach Mental Quick Math.

The system does not focus on rote learning like the Kumon Method. The system focuses on improving intelligence by teaching fundamentals and alternative methods. The purpose is not limited to improving performance in school or tests, but to provide a broader perspective that results in improved mathematical intelligence and mental acuity.

To know more about Vedic Math Sutras – World’s Fastest Mental Math System you can visit http://www.vedicmathsindia.org

This article is by Gaurav Tekriwal, Chairman of the Vedic Mathematics Forum of India, who has been running high-speed Vedic Mathematics workshops for the past five years and has trained more than seven thousand students worldwide in the field. He is the author of the best selling DVD on the subject which contains more than 10 hours on the subject. He is an expert on the subject and revolutionizing the way children learn math.