Operation Ganith Bharati

Mission Statement
It is our earnest aim and aspiration to explain and expound the contents of the Vedic
Mathematical Sutras and bring them within the easy intellectual reach of every seeker
after mathematical knowledge.
-Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja

Objectives
Vedic Mathematics for all : To rationally convince all seekers and sceptics alike about
the universal applicability and unchallenged eminence of the Vedic mathematical
Sutras.
Mathematics without tears :To enable young minds to experience the wonders of
Vedic one-line mental arithmetic and inculcate in them a long-lasting love for
mathematics.
Excavation of the long-lost treasure : To urge researchers and experts to conduct
research in Vedic mathematics in order to retrieve the priceless gems of Vedic
mathematics.

Action plan
Beej Ganith
(The Seed Course)
Beej Ganith , a term usually employed as a synonym for Algebra is the name chosen
for this experimental Seed Course in Vedic Mathematics, whose objective is to sow the
seeds of a fruitful study of Vedic Mathematics.
Beej Ganith will be a customised package containing user-friendly and labour-reducing
Vedic techniques of arithmetical multiplication and division. Students from the Sixth
Standard onwards can benefit from this Seed Course, which can add value to the
mathematical study of students at all levels.
The Seed Course can be administered either as an Interactive Workshop Demonstration
using visual aids or in a short series of lectures. Suitable courseware in the form of
booklets can be made available, prepared according the syllabus below:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Multiplication by the Urdhva Tiryak Sutra

Alternative multiplication by the Nikhilam Sutra
Squaring of numbers by the Yavadunam Sutra
Arithmetical Division by the Dhvajanka Sutra

page 2
page 6
page 8
page 9

1. Multiplication by the Urdhva Tiryak Sutra

(A) Introductory demonstration
-Multiplication of two double digit numbersIllustrative examples: 23
x13

45
x60

Step 1: Multiply the digits in the left column mentally and write the product in the row
below. Carry under digits to the bottom left if necessary.
2
1
2

3
3

4
6
4

5
0

2
Step 2 A : Mentally multiply the digits as shown to find the diagonal product .
2 3
4 5
1 3
6 0
2

4
2

(Keep in mind 2x3=6 )

(Keep in mind 4x0=0 )

Step 2 B : Mentally multiply the digits as shown to find another diagonal product.
2
1

3
3

4
6

5
0

4
2

(Keep in mind 1x3=3 )

(Keep in mind 6x5=30 )

Step 2C. Now add the two diagonal products of Step 2A and 2B mentally and write it
down in the row below.
2 3
1 3
2 9

4 5
6 0
40
23
(6+3=9)

( 30 + 0= 30)

Step 3: Multiply the digits in the right column mentally and write the product as shown.
Add the rows below to arrive at the answer.
2 3
4 5
1 3
6 0
2 9 9

400
2 3
2 700

(B) Elements of Urdhva Tiryak multiplication

-Urdhva Tiryak Operations on rectangular arraysIn the composite Step 2, we focussed our attention on a square of two columns formed by
four numbers. This step can be represented concisely as follows:
()

()

Multiply the digits joined by the arrows and add the products.

()
()
Given below are similar multiplications with the second step missing.
Apply this method to the square array and fill in the blanks.
3 1
1 2
3 __ 2

4 1
1 2
4 __ 2

1 2
1 4
1 __ 8

As we have now familiarised ourselves on how to deal with single columns and square
arrays, let us learn how to deal with rectangles of three or more columns. This will help
not only in multiplication of larger numbers, but also in division later on.
1. 3 column rectangular array:
()

()

()

()
()
()
Here again we multiply the digits joined by the arrows and add up all the products.
Before seeing how this step works in multiplication, we will apply it to a few such
rectangular arrays.
Array

Step value

1 3 3
2 4 5

_____

4 7 3
5 4 5

_____

2 5 6
3 4 9

_____

2. 4 column rectangular array:

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

Multiply the digits joined by the arrow heads and add them to get the step value. Before
applying this in actual multiplication, let us practice this step as we did the previous one.
Array

Step value

1
2

3 3 4
4 5 6

____

4
5

7 3 1
4 5 1

____

2 6 5
3 4 9

2
1

____

(C)Multiplication of larger numbers

-Application of Urdhva Tiryak operations on rectangular arraysRecapitulation: Keeping in mind how to deal with columns and squares the pattern
followed in two digit multiplication was briefly:
1. ( ) ( )
() ()

2. ( ) ( )
() ()

3. ( ) ( )
() ()

1. Multiplication of two three-digit numbers: Here we follow the 5 step procedure given
below in dealing with the arrays as practised before. Pay attention to carrying under of
digits as usual.
1. ( ) ( ) ( )

2. ( ) ( ) ( )

() () ()

4. ( ) ( ) ( )

() () ()

() ()

1 2 3

1 2 3

1 2 3

1 2 3

3 0 4
________
36

3 0 4
________
363
1

3 0 4
________
3638
1

3 0 4
________
3

()

3. ( ) ( ) ( )

() () ()

5. ( ) ( )

()

() ()

()

1 2 3
3 0 4
________
36382
1 1
37392

2. Multiplication of two four-digit numbers: Here the procedure is a 7-step one illustrated
as follows.
1. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

2. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

3. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

() () () ()

() () () ()

() () () ()

2 3 1 4

2 3 1 4

2 3 1 4

1 3 0 5
___________
2

1 3 0 5
___________
2 9

1 3 0 5
___________
2 9 0
1

4. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
() () () ()

2 3 1 4
1 3 0 5
___________
2 9 0 7
1 1

5. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

6. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

7. ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

() () () ()

() () () ()

() () () ()

2 3 1 4

2 3 1 4

2 3 1 4

1 3 0 5
___________
2 9 0 7 7
1 1 2

1 3 0 5
___________
2 9 0 7 79
1 1 2

1 3 0 5
___________
2907750
112 2
3019770

(D) Exercises
Perform the following multiplications by the Urdhva Tiryak rule and write the answers in
the space provided.
1. 7 3
2. 7 9 5
3. 6 4 7 1
37
3 6 2
6 2 1 2
_______
________
(Ans. 2701)

___________
___________
( Ans. 287790)

_____________
_____________
(Ans. 40197852)

2. Alternative Multiplication Techniques by the Nikhilam Sutra

( Twin-deficit and twin-surplus methods)
Primary implication and application of the Nikhilam Sutra :
The Sutra reads Nikhilam Navatashcharamam Dashathah and literally means,
All from 9 and the last from 10.
The simplest application of this rule is in the subtraction of numbers from the nearest
power of 10. The answer is obtained by subtracting each digit in the number from 9 and
the last from 10 as shown below.
100 - 7 9 = 2 1

1000 654 = 3

( 9-7) (10-9)

(9 6)

( 9-5) (10-4)

Do-it-yourself Demonstration:
1) 9 x 8

2) 101 x 104

3) 997 x 996

1)

2)

3)

9 -1
8 -2
7 2

[ 9-2 or 8-1]

[ (-1) x (-2)]

(Working base : 10)

101 +1
104 +4
___ 04

[ 101+4 or 104+1]

(Working base : 100 )

997 - __
996 -___
___ ___

[ 1 x 4]

(Working base : _ _ _ _ )

Steps:
1. Choose the power of 10 closest to the numbers to be multiplied, as the working base.
2. Place the factors in the left column marked by a vertical line.
3. Write in the right column against the respective numbers, their deficit or surplus with
respect to the working base. Deficits are obtained by using the Nikhilam rule. Prefix a
minus sign in case of a deficit and a plus sign in case of a surplus.
4. Multiply the numbers in the right column and place them as the right portion of the
answer. The right portion of the answer must contain as many digits as the number of
zeroes in the working base. Fill in extra spaces if any, by zeroes.
5. Cross-subtract from or cross-add to any one of the numbers in the left column; its
diagonally opposite counterpart on the right. Write this result as the right-hand side
part of the answer in order to arrive at the desired product.

Uses of Nikhilam multiplication

1. Reduction of Urdhva Tiryak Multiplication
When the numbers to be multiplied consist of large digits above 5, the work of
Urdhva Tiryak multiplication can be reduced to that of numbers consisting of smaller
digits and performed mentally or in a working column.
(a) 88 x 79
88 - 12
79 - 21
67 2 5 2
= 6952

(b) 879 x 978

Working column

879 - 121
978 - 022
857 2 6 6 2
= 859662

12
21
252

121
022
02662

Note carefully the carrying under of the digit in the right hand side when the allotted
places are used up. This number is added to the left hand side to arrive at the answer.
2. Multiplication when one or both of the factors is near a suitable power of 10
The actual multiplication can be performed orally in this case.
(a) 54 x 99

(b) 163 x 102

54 - 46
99 - 01
53 4 6
= 5346

(c) 637 x 998

163 +063
102 +002
165 1 2 6
= 16626

637 - 363
998 - 002
635 7 2 6
= 635726

3. Multiplication by the Aanurupyena Upasutra (A corollary of the Nikhilam Sutra)

Aanurupyena literally means proportionately.This method is employed when the
factors are close to a suitable multiple of a power of 10.
Example: 35 x 37
Method 1: Working base : 40 = 4x10
35 -5
37 -3
32 1 5
x4
128 1 5
= 1295
(Here the left portion is multiplied
by 4 as the working base is 4 x 10)

Method 2: Working base : 30 = 3x10

35 +5
37 +7
42 3 5
x3
126 3 5
= 1295
(Here the left portion is multiplied
by 3 as the working base is 3 x 10)

While using the Anurupyena Upasutra, the left hand side is obtained by multiplying
the result of cross-subtraction or cross-addition by the number by which the power of
10 was multiplied to get the working base. It is only after this that any digits carried
under in the right hand side are added.

3. Squaring by the Yavadunam Sutra

A: Squares of double digit numbers (General procedure)
Step
12
24
1.Choose the multiple of 10 nearest to the number to be
10
20
squared as the reference number.

48
50

2.Determine the surplus or deficiency of the given

number with respect to the reference number

+2

+4

-2

3. Increase the given number by the surplus or decrease

by the deficiency and place the result to the left of two
dots.
4. Place the square of the surplus or deficiency to the
left of the two dots. Carry under the digit in the tens
place in case of a two digit square.
5. Multiply the number to the right of the dots, by the
number by which 10 was multiplied to get the reference
number. Attach the right portion to it, unchanged.

14:

28:

46:

14:4
(Complete)

28:1 6

46:4

28:1 6
x2
56: 1 6

46:4
x5
230:4
(Complete)
Ans
482 = 2304

6. Carry over any carried under digits to the left

portion to obtain the

---Ans
122 = 144

Ans
242 = 576

B. Squares of triple digit numbers:

The differences between this procedure and the one explained above are:
1. Multiples of 100 are chosen as the reference numbers.
2. Two digits are placed to the right of the dots unlike one as in the previous case.
Illustrative examples:
1) 2022 -> 204:04
2) 3132 -> 326:1 69
3) 4962 -> 492:16
-> 204:04
->326: 1 69
-> 492:16
x2
x3
x5
408:04
978: 1 69
2460:16
= 40804
= 97969
= 246016
Summary: This method can be employed to square larger numbers, choosing reference digits as
multiples of the corresponding power of 10. Attention is to be paid while attaching the squares of
deficiencies and surpluses that the number of digits to the right of the dot is as many as the
number of zeroes in the chosen power of 10.
Exercise: Fill in the blanks:
1. 162 = ___:3 6 = ____

2. 182 = 26:_ _ = ____

3. 172 = 24:_ __ = ___

4. 162 = 12 : 1 6
x2
_ _ : 1 6= _ _ _

5. 182 = 16:_
x2
32:_

6. 172 = _ _:9
x2
_ _:9

7. 5122 = 524:1 44
x5
_ _ _ _:1 44 = ____

8. 9042 = 908:_ _
x9
8172:_ _

9. 7982 = 796:04
x_
_ _ _ _:04

4. Division by the Dhvajanka Sutra

(With double digit divisors)
(A) Introductory Demonstration
Illustrative Example : Divide 3456 by 62. Determine the quotient and remainder.
Step 1 Place the digit in the units place of the divisor to the left of the dividend. This will be
called the flag digit of the divisor. Place the digit in the tens place of the divisor to the flags
bottom left. This will be called the staff digit of the divisor.
2

6
Step 2 On paper :Write 34 ie. the first two digits of the dividend in a row below . We will call
this the working dividend.
In the head: Divide 34 by 6, the staff of the divisor
On paper : Place the quotient of this division underneath our working dividend . Also, place the
remainder of this division to the bottom left of the next digit in the original dividend. Now 4
becomes a staff and 5, a flag.
2

5
4

34
5
Step 3 In the head: We will call the flagstaff number 45 this steps gross dividend. Multiply the
latest quotient, 5 by 2, the flag of the divisor. Subtract this product from 45.
On paper : Write the result ie. 45 (5)(2) = 35 in the row below as the net dividend or next
steps working dividend.
2

4
35

34
5

Step 4 In the head: Perform division of this latest working dividend by the original staff digit as
in the Step 2.
On paper : Place the quotient and remainder in their respective places.
2

5
4
35
5

34
5

6
5

Step 5 In the head: The flagstaff digit formed in the last step is 56. Multiply the previous steps
quotient digit ie. 5 by 2, the divisors flag digit. Subtract this product from 56.
On paper : Since the flag digit of this gross dividend is the last digit in the original dividend, the
net dividend this step yields is actually the remainder. Write the remainder in the quotientsrow
separated by a pair of dots.
2

6
34
5

5 6
4 5
35 46
5 : 46

Quotient: 55 Remainder: 46

(B) Graphic recapitulation

This is a graphic illustration of Step3 and this procedure is to be followed at all intermediate
steps. The only places where this procedure does not apply is
1. At the first step, when the net dividend is directly available.
2. At the last step, when what is written in the net dividend row is acually the remainder.
Key

1.

GROSS DIVIDEND for a certain step is a flagstaff number whose

staff is the previous steps remainder and flag is the actual
dividends next digit.
DEFICIENCY is the product of the previous steps quotient and the original
divisors flag

2.

3.
(NET DIVIDEND) = (GROSS DIVIDEND) (DEFICIENCY)
This means that the quotient at each step is to be so chosen that
(GROSS DIVIDEND) > (DEFICIENCY)
Step 4 is performed by filling in the blanks in the diagram below.
2

4
34
5

35
___

Write this steps remainder here as a staff.

Write net dividends in this row
Write this steps quotient here.

(C) Exercises
1) Fill in the missing digits
6
6 0 1 3 2 5
7
___ 6 2 2
60 ___ 9 16
___ 9 1 2 : 13
2) Find the flag.
__
5 3 2
4
1 2
5 10
1 2 : 16
3) And the staff.
1
1 6 8 1
__
0 0
16 4
4 1 :0
4) Find the quotient and remainder of the following by the method described above:
(i) 594532 / 43 (Ans. 13826 & 14)
(ii) 6845431 / 76 (Ans. 90071 & 35)
(iii) 7945389 / 89 (Ans. 89274 & 3)
(iv) 5983742 / 47 (Ans. 127313 & 31)