Vedic maths tricks for fast mental maths (with worked examples)

Vedic maths is a collection of mental calculation methods popularised by Bharati Krishna Tirtha in the 20th century. You don't need to learn the whole system: a handful of tricks make everyday arithmetic and exam calculations much faster. Here are eight that are worth knowing, each with an example you can check.

1. Multiply a two-digit number by 11

Write the two digits apart and put their sum in the middle.

• 52 × 11 → 5 _ 2, middle 5 + 2 = 7 → 572
• 78 × 11 → 7 _ 8, middle 7 + 8 = 15 → carry the 1: 858

2. Square a number ending in 5

Multiply the tens digit by the next number up, then write 25.

• 35² → 3 × 4 = 12 → 1225
• 85² → 8 × 9 = 72 → 7225

3. Multiply two numbers just below 100 (Nikhilam)

Find how far each is below 100. Take one number minus the other's distance, then write the two distances multiplied (as two digits).

• 97 × 96: distances 3 and 4. 97 − 4 = 93, and 3 × 4 = 12 → 9312
• 98 × 95: distances 2 and 5. 98 − 5 = 93, and 2 × 5 = 10 → 9310

4. Multiply two numbers just above 100

Add instead of subtract.

• 103 × 104: 103 + 4 = 107, and 3 × 4 = 12 → 10712

5. Vertically and crosswise (any two-digit numbers)

For 23 × 41:

1. Right digits: 3 × 1 = 3.
2. Crosswise: 2 × 1 + 3 × 4 = 14 → write 4, carry 1.
3. Left digits: 2 × 4 = 8, plus the carried 1 = 9.

Answer: 943.

6. Subtract from 1000 ("all from 9 and the last from 10")

Take each digit from 9, and the last digit from 10.

• 1000 − 357 → 9−3, 9−5, 10−7 → 643
• 1000 − 482 → 518

7. Multiply by 5

Multiply by 10, then halve.

• 486 × 5 → 4860 ÷ 2 = 2430

8. Square a number near 50

Take 25 plus or minus the distance from 50, then write the distance squared as two digits.

• 48² → 25 − 2 = 23, and 2² = 04 → 2304
• 53² → 25 + 3 = 28, and 3² = 09 → 2809

How to practise

Learn one trick a week. Use it on ten examples, then mix it with ordinary questions so you choose the right method. Try:

• Mental maths practice for timed sums.
• Estimation Station to sense whether an answer is about right.
• Squares and cubes from 1 to 30 to check your squares.

Tricks are best after a child understands why multiplication works. Our maths classes teach both.

Common questions

Is Vedic maths useful for exams?

Yes, for speed: multiplying, squaring and checking answers. It doesn't replace understanding, so use it alongside normal methods.

What age can children learn Vedic maths?

Simple tricks like multiplying by 11 or by 5 suit children from about 9 who know their times tables. The near-100 methods suit ages 11 and up.

What is the fastest Vedic maths trick?

Squaring numbers that end in 5 is the quickest win: 65² is 6 × 7 = 42, then 25, so 4225.

This guide is general information. For exams, follow your school, teacher and official exam board, and use your own judgement about what suits your child.