Magic of Numbers

Mathematics/Maths is the most wonderful subject I had ever known. Nothing amuses me as solving problems in maths. I feel that the subject explains the essence of life wonderfully. There is no problem without a solution and all you need to do is to apply right logic at the right time to arrive at solution.

When It comes to learning maths, many cultivate an aversion towards the subject. Imagine it a game of numbers, then you will relish the act of problem solving.

When I was a kid I had kept a technique to deal with maths problems. I would imagine every problem to be a small treasure hunt. I would like to share few techniques which I followed and eventually ended up making it my favorite subject.

Problem Solving Technique

1.When you are given a problem, just read through it, look between the statements, you will end up finding hints which help to understand it better.
2.Split the problem to pieces and list down information available and what is to be arrived at.
3.Categorize the problem. I mean Classify which subject is it related to say Algebra,Trignometry.

I had this habit of imagining that I was flipping through pages of my textbook. Once I categorize the problem, and I find it to fit into chapter 5, I imagine that I am flipping though pages of that chapter.This may sound weird but it really helped me to track down the best fit.

4.Categorize it further to match it to a theorem/formulae.
5.List down the formulae you find related to it.
If you have followed perfectly till step 5 , Congrats you are almost there :).
6.Now place the information you have obtained from step 2 to the formulae you have.
7.With little of practice you made prior to exams and using common application knowledge you will end up finding solution to the problem.
8.Congratulate yourself for arriving at the destination(Hey you started it as finding a Treasure right..here you are!! )

Tips to Enjoy learning maths

1.Take a piece of paper and list down the chapters you have and pin it above your desk.
2.Once a chapter is complete list down all possible formulaes in a paper and file it. Take quick glances every day. You will end up memorizing them easily.
3.Practice maths problems never attempt to read them like reading a story book. Practice makes a man perfect :)! This will help you to face problems with courage in exams. During practicing problem, We tend to get stuck mid way and we try to solve them. If you face similar situation in exam, you can go over the hurdle with ease.
4.Attempt to solve problems using different approaches. Enables you to adopt new ideas. who knows you may end being a B-School grad "Thinking Out of Box" in future ;)
5.Discuss with peers and help out friends who struggle to solve problems. You will gain a lot.

I used to think myself as a teacher and practice as if I am teaching a student ;)


Learning Made Simpler

Would you like to be called a "Super Computer" calculating at random rates? Welcome to the world of "VEDIC MATHEMATICS".
For literature about it read here .

I am presenting few simpler techniques I learnt.

Multiplication of a two digit number with 11

What is 11 * 12 ? Oh don’t start multiplying, here is a simple method.

11 * 12 = 1 (1+2) 2 = 132

11 * 13 = 1 (1+3) 3 = 143

11 * 24 = 2 (2+4) 4 = 264

11 * 38 = 3 (3+8) 8 = 418 (Carry on from addition to be added to 3)

Square of a two digit number which is a multiple of 5

35 * 35 = (3*4) (5*5) = 1225

1.Seperate the ten's place and one's place.
2.For Ten's place multiply the ten's place number with its immediate successor .
Example: In above illustration, we have to find square of 35 so multiplying 3 with its immediate successor 4 will give the
result

65 * 65 = (6*7) (5*5) = 4225

55 * 55 = (5*6) (5*5) = 3025 Bingo!

Doesn't it look simpler and easy ? Of course you will relish the magic of numbers once you start using these techniques :)

We do have so many tutorials and books on this vast subject which cannot be discussed in one go. We will discuss some more Simpler techniques in next part.