|
This Manual is the second of three (elementary, intermediate and advanced) Manuals which are designed for adults with a basic understanding of mathematics to learn or teach the Vedic system. So teachers could use it to learn Vedic Mathematics, though it is not suitable as a text for children (for that the Cosmic Calculator Course is recommended). Or it could be used to teach a course on Vedic Mathematics.
The sixteen lessons of this course are based on a series of one week summer courses given at Oxford University by the author to Swedish mathematics teachers between 1990 and 1995. Those courses were quite intensive consisting of eighteen, one and a half hour, lessons.
The lessons in this book however probably contain more material than could be given in a one and a half hour lesson. The teacher/reader may wish to omit some sections, go through the material in a different sequence to that shown here or break up some sections (e.g. recurring decimals).
All techniques are fully explained and proofs are given where appropriate, the relevant Sutras are indicated throughout (these are listed at the end of this Manual) and, for convenience, answers are given after each exercise. Cross-references are given showing what alternative topics may be continued with at certain points.
It should also be noted that the Vedic system encourages mental work so we always encourage students to work mentally as long as it is comfortable. In the Cosmic Calculator Course pupils are given a short mental test at the start of most or all lessons, which makes a good start to the lesson, revises previous work and introduces some of the ideas needed in the current lesson. In the Vedic system pupils are encouraged to be creative and use whatever method they like.
About Vedic Mathematics:
Vedic Mathematics was reconstructed from ancient Vedic texts early last century by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960). It is a complete system of mathematics which has many surprising properties and applies at all levels and areas of mathematics, pure and applied. It has a remarkable coherence and simplicity that make it easy to do and easy to understand. Through its amazingly easy methods complex problems can often be solved in one line. The system is based on sixteen word-formulae (Sutras) that relate to the way in which we use our mind.
About
the Founder Of Vedic Mathematics:
Vedic
Mathematics is an ancient system of mathematics which was rediscovered early
last century by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (henceforth referred
to as Bharati Krsna).
Bharati Krsna was born in 1884 and died in 1960. He was a brilliant
student, obtaining the highest honours in all the subjects he studied, including
Sanskrit, Philosophy, English, Mathematics, History and Science. When he heard
what the European scholars were saying about the parts of the Vedas which were
supposed to contain mathematics he resolved to study the documents and find
their meaning. Between 1911 and 1918 he was able to reconstruct the ancient
system of mathematics which we now call Vedic Mathematics.
He wrote
sixteen books expounding this system, but unfortunately these have been lost and
when the loss was confirmed in 1958 Bharati Krsna wrote a single introductory
book entitled "Vedic Mathematics". This is currently available and is a
best-seller.
|
