Boston, MA (PRWEB) January 11, 2011
Today’s young generation especially might be termed “A / V learners,” having grown up in a multimedia culture of video games, DVDs, and smartphones. A new program presents Vedic shortcut math principles in a 2 1/2 hour animated movie (with supporting exercise materials and flashcards) which was just released in December by www.totalbreeze.com/. Their mission is “to spread the word about Vedic Mathematics and other alternative math and memory shortcuts in a way that is inspired, fun, comprehensive, and accessible to everyone.” The web video suggests that the program delivers on a very tall order: for example, imparting the ability to square a three-digit number like 487 in under five seconds, to multiply 307 by 312 in under five seconds, to divide 2130110 by 9 in under five seconds, to memorize pi to 100 digits, or memorize 20 or more items with perfect and effortless recall. The same video selects a few of these problems, and demonstrates how to make short, easy work of them. The demonstration underscores that these spontaneous mental feats involve less mental work, not more.
In the early 20th century, Indian scholar Bharati Krishna Tirtha claimed, after years of studying the ancient Hindu sacred texts known as the Vedas, that he had discovered sixteen sutras, from which he derived an elegantly simple system of mathematics, a system both creative and practical, a system immediately applicable to arithmetic and algebra. According to experts, the forumlas he developed help the mind calculate in the way it functions naturally. Vedic math also offers multiple paths to a problem’s solution, a multiplicity that brings about a richer understanding of number properties and introduces an element of creative thinking.
Students in India have been taking notice of these formulas in order to parlay an edge in India’s highly competitive, exam-geared schools; however, in the United States, so often cited for lagging behind in math and science, Vedic math is comparatively unknown. But Americans who happen to stumble across Vedic math are quick to appreciate its effectiveness and simplicity, the competitive edge it affords, and the self-confidence it fosters. That’s hard-won territory in America; According to a 2005 AP News poll conducted as students headed back to school, “almost four in ten adults surveyed said they hated math in school, a widespread disdain that complicates efforts today to catch up with Asian and European students. Twice as many people said they hated math as said that about any other subject.” Perhaps that pervasive disdain is due to an antiquated approach to math. Vedic math can help all students have an early positive experience with math.
While today’s smartphone-wielding youth are multimedia savvy, they may wonder why learning speed math is even necessary anymore considering the ubiquity of calculators in cell phones. In reply to this question, Total Breeze states succinctly that “A calculator can teach you how to think about as well as a hammer can teach you how to build a house.” Point taken – and it should be added that many standardized tests don’t allow calculators, that calculators often lose their charge, break, go missing, or get mistyped. So much for the calculator argument.
“Why didn’t they teach me this in school?” – that’s a question so often asked following one’s first exposure to Vedic math. Why indeed? Clearly math phobia is everywhere. What can be done about it? The solution is simple: Vedic mathematics. The next question is – when will the West embrace the new math?
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/01/prweb4955664.htm