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First Edition
Vikram Devatha
Vedic Addition
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Preface
Vedic Mathematics is a system of mathematics that allows
problems to be solved quickly and efficiently. It is based on the
work of Sri Bharathi Krishna Thirthaji Maharaja (1884 1964),
who devised the system from a close study of the Vedas. The
Vedas are ancient scriptures of India that deal with many
subjects. It is based on 16 sutras (aphorisms) from the Vedas
that provide a principle or a rule of working to solve a problem.
These sutras may be ancient in origin, but are still relevant to
modern day mathematics.
Vedic Math provides many different methods to solve any given
problem. The choice of method depends on the conditions that
the given problem satisfies. This is very much like planting a
tree the choice of which tree to plant has to depend on the
nature of the soil and the environment. It is impossible to plant
the same tree everywhere without considering the
surroundings. Vedic math works in a similar manner.
Conventional mathematics generally provides a single method
to solve a mathematical problem. This method is applied
blindly whenever the student comes across the problem.
However, in vedic math, the student chooses which method to
employ. In multiplication, for instance, there are almost five
Content has been optimized for the iPad. There are essentially
two kinds of interactivity available in the iPad version:
screencasts and buttons.
A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output,
explaining the Vedic Math techniques, along with an audio
narration. Screencasts are natively available on an iPad, and in
some versions of the pdf. If the screencasts do not play on your
computer or tablet, these are also available on
www.youtube.com/VedicAddition for reference. At times, it is
easier to explain orally, than in written words. Hence, each
method is illustrated using a screencast, as well as a written
explanation.
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of Vedic Math is necessary to read and
understand the material I have presented in this book. I start
with the basics, and proceed to the more advanced techniques
of Vedic Math. It will be helpful to know the addition tables till
20+20 to fully grasp the techniques presented in this book.
Some notes
Some notes
Number tables
Patterns in numbers
Ever seen a pattern in nature, such as the recurring phases of
the moon, and wondered at the beauty of nature? These
patterns exist in numbers too. Patterns such as the Fibonacci
Numbers and the Golden Mean are well known examples.
Learning how to recognize these patterns and using them to
solve problems is what Vedic Math is all about.
There are two kinds of number tables that are essential for
mathematics addition & subtraction tables and multiplication
& division tables. Today, schools generally advocate addition
tables till 10 + 10, and multiplication tables until 12 x 12. For
Vedic Math, you only need to know the tables up to 5 x 5.
Tables of higher numbers are not required. However,
knowledge of tables till 20 x 20 and 16 x 16 will be useful.
Answers in parts
Bases
Negative numbers are used extensively in Vedic Mathematics.
You will notice that in the above diagram, the negative sign is
placed above the digit rather than to its left as in conventional
math e.g. -3 has been written as 3. Similarly, 9 will be written
9, -32 as 32
, 10 as either 10 or 10 (since 0 = 0).
Hundreds column
Units column
4 5 7
9 8 6
+ 3 4 5
Place value
Place-value notation, or positional-notation is a way of
representing numbers. The value of a digit, depends on its
place or position in the number. Beginning with the ones place
at the right, each place value is multiplied by increasing
powers of 10. Place value for the number 24.759 is shown
below
2 4 . 7 5 9
Tens
Units
Decimal
Tenths
Hundredths Thousandths
To the left of the decimal point, digits to the right have smaller
place value than those to the left by a factor of 10. However,
to the right of the decimal point, digits to the left have higher
place value than those to the right.
Columns
Tens column
Direction
In conventional math, most arithmetic operations are
performed Right to Left, i.e. starting with the Units column,
and moving leftward to the Tens column, Hundreds column
and so on. For instance, while adding 2 numbers, the Units
column are added first, then the tens and so on. While
subtracting numbers, again the units column is subtracted
first, then the tens. Direction of operation is Right to Left.
In Vedic Math, arithmetical operations are performed Left to
Right. In so doing, digits with a higher Place Value are
processed first, and rightfully so, as they have a larger value.
Carryover
Unlike conventional math, carryover in Vedic Math can be
made either to the left or to the right. When a digit is to be
carried over, it is written in small case. For instance, in the
following number, the 2 is a carry-over which is added to the
5.
4 6 = 7 4 6
Conventional method
Conventional method
Before we study the Vedic Math techniques of addition, let us
review the method most commonly used today. Add the
following numbers:
3 8 9
4 2 5
+ 6 7 0
It is likely that you started the addition from the Units column.
The main elements in this method of addition are:
1. Addition starts with the rightmost column, usually the Units
column, unless there are decimals.
2. The carry over is added on top of the column to the left.
3. All the columns are added, and the answer is given from the
left.
Although the conventional method can be applied to all cases
of addition, it is not an efficient method.
starts with the decimal digits which have even lower place
value. In day-to-day situations, it is far more important to sum
the columns with the higher place value i.e. the hundreds
column, or the thousands column rather than the units
column.
Carryovers
3
4
+ 6
1 4
8
2
7
8
9
5
0
4
Addition begins
with the units
column
Column-less method
Column-less addition
Add the following numbers in the method that you are familiar
with.
4 5 7
9 8 6
+ 3 9 5
Example 1
Watch the screencast below to see the column-less method of
adding these numbers. This can also be viewed at http://
youtu.be/JmZQdFCLqvQ
13
Step 1
Step 2
4
9
+ 3
16
5
8
9
22
7
6
5
18
Step 2: All the small digits are carried over to the previous
column, 1 is carried over to the 2 giving 3, 2 and 6 give 8, and
the 1 is carried over 0 to give 1. The answer is 1838.
Example 2
In some cases, there will be multiple carryovers. Try adding the
following numbers using the column-less method.
2 6 7
7 7 8
+ 5 5 9
You will see that you will need to carryover twice to arrive at the
final answer.
14
Watch the screencast below to see the solution. This can also
be viewed at http://youtu.be/BvyKC3SEfog
2
7
+ 5
14
6
7
5
18
7
8
9
24
Step 2
Step 3
Step 1
Two-digit method
Two-Digit Method
In this chapter, you will learn a method of adding numbers
quickly and efficiently. You will see that numbers dont have to
be added from the right to the left only, which is most likely what
you are accustomed to. Lets review two points from before.
Place value
Place-value notation, or positional-notation is a way of
representing numbers. The value of a digit, depends on its
place or position in the number. Beginning with the ones place
at the right, each place value is multiplied by increasing
powers of 10.
To the left of the decimal point, digits to the right have smaller
place value than those to the left by a factor of 10. However,
to the right of the decimal point, digits to the left have higher
place value than those to the right.
2 5 6
+ 8 9 4
6 3 8
+ 1 9 4
Direction
In conventional math, most arithmetic operations are
performed Right to Left, i.e. starting with the Units column,
and moving leftward to the Tens column, Hundreds column
and so on. For instance, while adding numbers, the Units
column are added first, then the Tens column, then the
Hundreds. While subtracting numbers, again the Units column
It is likely that you added the above numbers from the Right to
the Left, i.e. starting with the Units column in both cases. Now
see if you can find a way to add these numbers from the Left to
the Right. i.e. start adding from the Hundreds column in both
cases!
17
Example 1
In the following example, we add 769 and 583, from the Left to
Right i.e. we start with the Hundreds column, or the leftmost
column, and move column by column, to the right.
Watch the screencast below for an explanation. This can also
be viewed at http://youtu.be/qSd_glxGfDo
7
+ 5
1 3
Step i
Step iii
Step ii
Step iv
6
8
5
Step v
9
3
2
Step vi
Example 2
Were you able to add 325 and 948 from Left to Right? These
numbers are again added Left to Right i.e. we start with the
leftmost column, and move to the right. Watch the screencast
below for an explanation. This is also available at http://
youtu.be/3mNpth3NwQ0
3 2 5
+ 9 4 8
Hint: start writing your answer one column ahead.
19
3
+ 9
1 2
Step i
Step iii
Step ii
Step iv
2
4
7
Step v
5
8
3
Example 3
Step vi
Try adding 4658 and 7589 using this method on your own now.
Make sure you add Left to Right.
Here is the solution for this exercise:
Step i: Start by adding the hundreds column, 3+9 to get 12.
This is written as a 1 in the preceding column (Thousands
column), and the 2 is carried over to the subsequent column
(Tens column).
Step ii: The 2 that was carried over, and the 2 in the tens
column are combined as 22. Add 22 and 4 to get 26.
Step iii: 26 written as a 2 in the preceding column (the
Hundreds column), and the 6 is carried over to the subsequent
column (Units column).
4 6 5 8
+ 7 5 8 9
Step iv: The 6 and 5 are combined as 65. Add 65 and 8 to get
73
20
Step i
4
+ 7
1 2
Step ii
Step iii
6
5
2
Step iv Step vi
Step v
5
8
4
Step viii
Step vii
8
9
7
Step ix
Step i and ii: Start by adding the leftmost column, 4+7 to get
11. This is written as a 1 in the previous column, and 1 is
carried over to the subsequent column (Tens column).
Step iii: The 1 that was carried over, and the 6 in the tens
column are combined to get 16. 16 and 5 are added to get 21.
Step iv: 21 written as a 2 in the preceding column, and the 1 is
carried over to the subsequent column.
Step v: The 1 and 5 are combined as 15. 15 and 8 are added
to get 23
Step vi: 23 is written as 2 in the previous column, and the 3 is
carried over to the subsequent column.
Step vii, viii, ix: 38 and 9 are added to get 47 the last two digits
in the answer.
21
5 1 4 3
+ 2 6 2 9
Click for solution
7 6 5 8
+ 1 2 7 9
Click for solution
6 8 0 2
+ 5 4 1 6
Click for solution
4 3 5 8
+ 7 2 0 9
Click for solution
3 0 9 2
+ 7 1 7 4
3
5
4
+ 2
0
7
2
5
2
3
6
8
7 5 6
1 2 2
9 2 3
+
4 0
Click for solution
9 3 2
+ 4 8 7 6
Click for solution
1245 + 3529 =
4427 + 1903 =
12.54 + 23.56 =
45.95 + 45.95 =
8.695 + 3.795 =
34.50 + 88.50 =
Example 1
You may have wondered why this technique is called the TwoDigit method of addition. It is so called because any column
that is added, must yield 2, and only 2 digits. For example, in
the following, the hundreds column sums to 3, but should be
written as 03, with the 0 in the thousands place, and the 3
carried over to the tens column. Again while adding the Units
column, 02+7 gives 9, but must be written as 09. The answer
will be incorrect otherwise.
2
+ 1
0 4
6
4
0
2 5 7
3 4 2
+ 4 3 6
2
7
9
You will have three digits when you sum Column 2, but in the 2digit method, you must have two, and only two digits as you
sum each Column.
The final answer in this case is 1035. How would you handle
the three digits of Column 2 to arrive at this answer?
23
2
3
+ 4
0 10
5
4
3
3
7
2
6
5
5
Example 2
The final answer in this case is 1035. How would you handle
the three digits of Column 2 to arrive at this answer?
Watch the screenshot below for an explanation, and solution of
this issue. This is also available at http://youtu.be/
1pIpNeYS8Q0
1 6 6 2
4 3 5 8
+ 3 7 8 6
25
Step 1
Step 2
1
4
+ 3
0 9
0 9
6
3
7
7
6
5
8
10
2
8
6
6
2 0 2
3 3 4
+ 5 6 7
26
Three-digit method
Three-Digit method
The Three-Digit method of addition is a variation of the TwoDigit method. In some cases, the Two-Digit method leads to a
Reverse Carryover in the final step, which can be avoided using
this method.
Watch the screencast below for an explanation of the ThreeDigit method. This can also be viewed at http://youtu.be/
9EdIMGNAJqc
Example 1
Let us revisit the question from the previous chapter. Were you
able to formulate the Three-Digit method for summing the
numbers below? The answer in this case is 1103. How can we
add these numbers, from left to right (starting with the
Hundreds column), and arrive at the answer mentally?
2 0 2
3 3 4
+ 5 6 7
28
2
3
+ 5
0 1 1
Step ii
Step iv
10
0
3
6
0
Step v
09
2
4
7
3
Did you notice how the Three-Digit method helped us avoid the
Reverse Carryover? We were able to solve the addition moving
only from the left to the right.
Here is another example.
Step vi
Example 2
Step i: Adding digits in Column 1, 2+3+5 gives 10, a two digit
number. In this method, the sum of each column must be
written as 3 digits. Hence, a zero is inserted in front of the 10,
making it a 010.
Step ii: The 0 from the 010 is written in the column before the
preceding column (Hundred-thousands column), and the 10 is
carried over the existing 0 in the Tens column, now read as
100.
Step iii and iv: Adding digits in Column 2, we get
100+3+6=109, 1 is written in the column before the preceding
column (the Thousands column), and the 09 is carried over to
the Units column.
4 2 5 9
+ 8 7 9 3
Hint: start writing your answer two columns ahead.
29
Watch the screencast below for the solution. This can also be
viewed at http://youtu.be/N_qd2Z4kZ6o
Step i
4
+ 8
0 1 3
Step ii
Step iv Step v
Step iii
Step v
Step vi
12
29
04
2
7
0
5
9
5
9
3
2
Step vii
30
3 6 7
+ 4 3 7
1 4 5
+ 8 7 4
3 4 2 5
+ 8 2 7 8
1 3 0 4
+
3 9 8
2 5 7
1 2 8
+ 3 2 3
2 3 9
7 8 5
+
2 3
Common errors
Here is a list of some common errors that we make while using
the Vedic Math methods. Check if any of these apply to you.
32
33
Irresponsible clerk
John visited the medical diagnostic centre, and had a few xcrashed and she had the clerk make the bill manually. John has
a feeling the clerk has made an error while summing the
35
The Woodchucks
Concluding remarks
36
Answers to exercises
5
+ 2
0 7
1
6
7
4
3
8
3
9
2
4
+ 7
1 1
3
2
5
5
0
6
3
5
4
+ 2
1 5
0
7
2
5
5
2
3
6
8
9
7
1
9
+
1 8
5
2
2
4
4
6
2
3
0
1
8
9
7
1 4 2 7 4 6 5 + 3529 = 04774
7
+ 1
0 8
6
+ 5
1 2
6
2
9
8
4
2
5
7
3
0
1
3
8
9
7
3
+ 7
1 0
0
1
2
2
6
8
+ 4
0 5
9
8
8
9
7
6
3
7
0
2
4
6
2
6
8
4 5 4 3 2 3 7 + 1903 = 06340
13 2. 5 5 0 4 + 23.56 = 036.10
4 8 5. 0 9 8 5 + 45.95 = 091.90
8. 1 6 3 9 8 5 + 3.795 = 12.490
31 4. 2 5 0 0 + 88.50 = 123.00
38
3
+ 4
0 0 8
07
1
+ 8
0 1 0
09
79
6
3
0
7
7
4
5
4
9
3
+ 8
0 1 1
11
16
69
01
16
69
+
0 0 1
4
2
7
3
3
7
2
7
0
0
9
0
06
69
2
7
09
03
+
0 1 0
01
4
7
1
2
1
+ 3
0 0 7
5
2
2
0
3
8
2
4
7
8
3
8
9
5
3
7
5
8
3
4
8
2
39
Irresponsible clerk
The clerk has indeed made an error. Add the balance column
starting from the left. 2+2 gives 04, with the 4 carried over to
the tens column. In the Tens column we see there is a 4 and 8,
which is greater than 10. Hence, the Hundreds digit now
becomes 5. However, the clerk has mentioned the Total
Balance as 443, which is a mistake.
The Woodchucks
Summing the Hundreds column, we get 14. The 4 is carried
over tot he Tens column. Summing the Tens column, we get
42+7+4+1 which exceeds 50. Hence, it is clear the
Woodchucks have won!
40
References
References
Glover, J., T. (2002) Vedic Mathematics For Schools, Book 1,
Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
Glover, J., T. (2003) Vedic Mathematics For Schools, Book 2,
Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
Glover, J., T. (2003) Vedic Mathematics For Schools, Book 3,
Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. 14
Gupta, A. (2006) The Power of Vedic Maths For Admission
Test, Professional & Competitive Examinations, Jaico
Publishing House, India.
Jagadguru Swami Bharathi Krishna Thirthaji Maharaja (1992)
Vedic Mathematics, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
New Delhi.
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