Vedic math!!.. 2min vid..wow!!...can somebody please explain why this works??

I don't think it's flawed, there seams to be a "rule" missing.
It could be this, when one of the answers is a double digit like 10, the zero is left and the one is carried to the previous answer 1+9 = 10 double digit again so that one is carried to the previous collumn 1+4 = 5 giving the result of 500.

Did that make sense?

Originally posted by Anomic of Nihilism
I've only really just started on my journey into the facinating would maths/physics. Eventually want to do Astro/quantum or Particle physics, whilst pulling apart the "nature of existence" along the way

thanx for the links, il shall look at them tomorrow.

In the unsolicited advice category, were I beginning on my journey through the educational system anew, and had the years to devote to it, I'd seriously consider focusing on the quantum physics of plasmonics: the behavior and engineering of the electron clouds around the atom.

I wish I could give you exact project references but I'd be in trouble. Let's say the invisibility cloak thing you see a lot of falls into this category, and it's an exciting new field with lots of governmental funding for the forseeable future.

Not to mention the other applications. Such as capacitors the like of which have never been seen. You haven't heard about that yet but you will, and quite soon, I suspect.

well again I am vindicated as plasmonics is one of the most important things I am studying.
heads up folks its the next way to think about manipulation of matter

Great post!

I am absolutely horrible at math, and was surprised to see that these formulas do actually work, with the exception that icedtang pointed out

Regardless great find. Maybe I can get a job in finance now?

Here's a teaser:

Give me the next sequence of numbers. No rules, that's what you have to work out. One clue: your kids will probably get it before you do.

1
11
21
1211
111221
312211
13112221
1113213211
....................

I'll give you the next sequence tomorrow, and the answer the next day, if none of the gigantabrains get it first.

No takers? Here's the next 2 lines:

31131111131121
1321135113211211

I learned about the example you gave in 1st grade, and if done right, none of those limitations you gave apply. For the example iCEdTenG gave, 1000 – 500, you leave the first to digits, from right to left, as is since they are the same for both numbers. You only start at the hundreds place since that is when the second number is bigger, 5 > 0. so it would just be:
0-0=0
10-5 = 5
0-0=0
0-0=0
500

It works for others such as 1234-987. Since 7 > 4 you subtract one from the tens digit and add 10 to the ones digit in the first number. Since 8 > 2 (3-1), you do the same except for the hundreds, and since 9 > 1 (2-1), you do the same for the thousands. So:
0-0=0
11-9=2
12-8=4
14-7=7
247

As for the technique in the video, the logic behind it is pretty much the same as the normal way, you just don’t have to do any multiplication at all. You let the crosses do it for you.


[edit on 8-6-2007 by Lethys]

Shouldn't it be

31131211131221

and

13211311123113112211

To me subtraction is just as easy the other way. I usually work my way 'up' to determine the difference between the numbers.

As for long multiplication, I still can't remember how to do them like I was taught at school. I either do them on calculator or in my head.

Eg. 3356 X 34

Add 0 to 3356 = 33560

X 3

100680 + (3356 X 4)



[edit on 17-6-2007 by seenitall]

heh that was really cool! i've never seen anything like it. Really boggles my mind thinking about why that works, it's as if it represents the actual dimensions for the number.

I remember in school we would have to show our working out in tests to get full marks, would be funny to have this as your working out.

Originally posted by iCEdTenG
Subtract 487 from 1000 1000 - 487
9-4=5
9-8=1
LAST number,ALWAYS subtract from 10
10-7=3

This algorithm is flawed.

E.g

1000 - 500
9-5=4
9-0=9
10-0=10
= 4910

Err... that's not flawed. Your use of it is flawed. If the smallest digit is supposed to be filled with a 10, which is more than one digit, you would have to carry over the 1 from the 10 to then next smallest digit making the 9 in the second place a 10. Carry the 1 again, to make the 4, a 5, and end with 500.

This brings light to my point. This isn't anything strange... it's simply reversing the 'carrying' property used normally in addition. I haven't watched the video yet, and I hope to see some examples that are actually interesting, and find out what exactly this term 'vedic' means.

[edit on 28-6-2007 by rickjamesia]

Here is an interesting website regarding geometrical number patterns.

Number Spirals

Originally posted by rickjamesia

Originally posted by iCEdTenG
Subtract 487 from 1000 1000 - 487
9-4=5
9-8=1
LAST number,ALWAYS subtract from 10
10-7=3

This algorithm is flawed.

E.g

1000 - 500
9-5=4
9-0=9
10-0=10
= 4910

Err... that's not flawed. Your use of it is flawed. If the smallest digit is supposed to be filled with a 10, which is more than one digit, you would have to carry over the 1 from the 10 to then next smallest digit making the 9 in the second place a 10. Carry the 1 again, to make the 4, a 5, and end with 500.

This brings light to my point. This isn't anything strange... it's simply reversing the 'carrying' property used normally in addition. I haven't watched the video yet, and I hope to see some examples that are actually interesting, and find out what exactly this term 'vedic' means.

[edit on 28-6-2007 by rickjamesia]

Ok did you just say Err? Right-o anyway the algorithm was flawed as i ddnt see any rules or exceptions in the original algorithm. I was just following how the OP gave the algorithm. I didn't see the rules you just wrote in your last post in the original instructions so therefore it was flawed.