For many students, Maths isn’t difficult because they lack understanding—it’s difficult because calculations can take too long. Lengthy multiplication, division, percentages, and fractions can slow students down, especially during timed tests and competitive exams.
What if there were smarter ways to work with numbers?
This is where Vedic Maths can help. It introduces simple techniques and mental strategies that help students recognise patterns, simplify calculations, and solve certain problems more efficiently.
But Vedic Maths is not just about speed. Its real value lies in helping students think flexibly, build number sense, and approach calculations with greater confidence.
What Is Vedic Maths?
Vedic Maths is a collection of mathematical techniques popularised by Bharati Krishna Tirthaji that helps students simplify calculations and solve problems more efficiently. It uses patterns and mental strategies for operations such as multiplication, division, squares, and percentages.
Rather than replacing traditional Maths, Vedic Maths complements it by helping students improve calculation speed, accuracy, number sense, and confidence.
The 16 Sutras of Vedic Maths
The 16 Sutras are short Sanskrit phrases that form the named framework of Vedic Maths. Some of the most commonly used ones include:
- Ekadhikena Purvena — By one more than the previous one
- Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah — All from 9 and the last from 10
- Urdhva-Tiryagbhyam — Vertically and Crosswise
- Paravartya Yojayet — Transpose and Adjust
- Shunyam Saamyasamuccaye — When the sum is the same, that sum is zero
- Anurupye Shunyamanyat — If one is in ratio, the other is zero
- Sankalana-Vyavakalanabhyam — By addition and subtraction
- Yavadunam — Whatever the extent of its deficiency
The complete system contains 16 main Sutras along with 13 Sub-Sutras.
Students do not need to memorise all 16 at once. Learning a few relevant techniques and understanding when to use them is usually a more practical starting point.
Why Do Students Struggle With Maths Calculations?
Even when students understand Maths concepts, calculations can feel difficult because they may lack number fluency, rely too much on written methods, or struggle with mental Maths. Time pressure can also lead to small mistakes and slow problem-solving.
Learning alternative calculation strategies can help students work more efficiently, improve accuracy, and feel more confident with Maths.
Does Vedic Maths Actually Make Students Better at Maths?
Vedic Maths can certainly help students become faster and more confident with particular calculations. But speed should not be the only goal.
A student who calculates quickly but does not understand mathematical concepts may still struggle with algebra, geometry, problem-solving, or higher-level Maths.
The strongest approach is to combine:
Conceptual understanding + regular practice + mental Maths + efficient calculation strategies
Vedic Maths can be one useful component of this approach.
A Simple Vedic Maths Technique to Try
Consider:
1000 − 368
Using the Vedic Maths method “All from 9 and the last from 10”:
- 9 − 3 = 6
- 9 − 6 = 3
- 10 − 8 = 2
So:
1000 − 368 = 632
Instead of working through several borrowing steps, students can use this pattern to make subtraction from powers of 10 quicker and easier.
Traditional Maths vs Vedic Maths: What’s the Difference?
Vedic Maths does not make traditional Maths unnecessary. Instead, it gives students additional strategies for certain calculations.
How Can Vedic Maths Affect Mathematical Thinking?
The strongest potential benefit of Vedic Maths may not simply be speed.
When students practise alternative ways of calculating, they repeatedly work with number relationships, mental manipulation, patterns, and multiple solution pathways. These activities can encourage computational fluency and flexibility.
Recent experimental research provides some encouraging evidence. A 2026 study involving 30 middle-school students found improvements in mathematical achievement, calculation speed, accuracy, and attitudes after a six-week Vedic Maths intervention. However, the study used a small single-group sample, so its results should be viewed as promising rather than definitive evidence that Vedic Maths improves cognition for all students.
Another 2026 study involving 146 undergraduate business and commerce students reported improvements in calculation speed, accuracy, interest, and mathematics-related attitudes following Vedic Maths training. Again, these findings support Vedic Maths as a potentially useful supplementary strategy, rather than proof that it universally improves mathematical ability.
For parents, the practical takeaway is simple: use Vedic Maths to develop calculation flexibility and fluency, but continue building conceptual understanding through regular
Maths learning.
Don’t Focus Only on Speed
One common mistake is to turn Vedic Maths into a race.
If students are constantly pressured to answer within a few seconds, they may become anxious or prioritise speed over accuracy.
A better progression is:
Understand → Practise → Become Accurate → Build Speed
Students should first understand the technique, then practise it until they are comfortable, and only then work on improving their speed.
When Should Students Start Learning Vedic Maths?
There is no single starting age for every child. What matters more is whether the child has the necessary mathematical foundation.
A practical progression could look like this:
-
Early Primary Years:
Simple number patterns, mental addition and subtraction, and basic number relationships.
Once Multiplication Tables Are Introduced: Multiplication patterns, squares, division strategies, and mental calculation techniques. -
Middle School:
More advanced multiplication, percentages, fractions, algebraic techniques, and problem-solving strategies. -
Secondary School and Beyond:
Selected techniques can be used alongside algebra, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, and competitive-exam preparation.
an be used alongside algebra, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, and competitive-exam preparation.
The key is to introduce techniques after students understand the underlying Maths, rather than asking them to memorise shortcuts without context.
How Edvi Can Help Your Child Learn Vedic Maths
At Edvi, students can learn Vedic Maths through personalised one-to-one online sessions tailored to their age, learning level, and pace. Tutors introduce practical Vedic Maths techniques step by step, helping students understand patterns, simplify calculations, and develop faster mental calculation skills.
With individual attention and regular practice, students can build speed, accuracy, number sense, and confidence while learning how to apply Vedic Maths techniques effectively.
Final Thoughts
Vedic Maths is not just about memorising shortcuts—it helps students think flexibly, recognise patterns, and calculate more efficiently. When combined with strong mathematical foundations, it can improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Learning different ways to approach a problem helps students become smarter, more adaptable mathematical thinkers, both inside and outside the classroom.
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