New Math is Three Thousand Years Old

Giving hope to people who freeze when the word math" is even mentioned, a mathematician and a computer programmer have partnered to bring the book, 'Fun With Figures -- Math or Magic?' to the Internet. It explains mathematical principles that were used by Indian scholars 3000 years ago to help people perform mental math calculations.

Students and parents often feel anger and fear when politicians are discussing standardized testing and how the United States is falling further and further behind other industrialized nations. But there is hope. In the last century, an ancient type of mental math computation was rediscovered, and Mathematician Kenneth Williams and Computer Programmer Murdo Macleod have teamed up to provide Internet access to this old, yet new, system with an e-book entitled, Fun With Figures -- Is It Math or Magic?

The techniques, developed by Vedic scholars in India over 3000 years ago, are still not widely known except by a few mathematicians. Enter Kenneth Williams. The math scholar specializes in Vedic mathematics, wrote a book the subject, and gives lectures to small audiences around Britain.

Completely unknown to Williams, Macleod was producing fantastic computer programs, but when it came to balancing the checkbook or completing timesheets, he always reached for the calculator. Oh, I could count all right - don't get me wrong!" he notes. I just felt very awkward trying to do figures in my head." Exploring various options for performing mental calculations better, Macleod ran across Williams book, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Macleod was thrilled that, unlike other theories, Vedic math was so easy and quick to learn; it helped him almost immediately in other ways, too. He notes, It's hard to explain in words, but as you develop your problem-solving skills, you acquire a new confidence that allows you to see life's problems in a different light. The stress disappears, and you just focus in on what needs to be done."

Realizing that this was something everyone should have the opportunity to learn, Macleod collaborated with Williams to bring the book to the Internet, where more information can be found at the website, funwithfigures.com. The techniques may be the opposite of traditional Western teaching -- left to right problem solving instead of the current right to left, is one example -- but they certainly make an impact on those who have discovered them. One man explains, I even showed the book to a friend who is studying math teaching methods and she thought it was very good. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the book." And retired mathematics teacher, Elizabeth Sutherland, just couldnt put the book down.

If you, your child, or someone else you know freezes when the word math" is mentioned, get more information from the Web about this new old math. As the method spreads through modern teaching circles, job hunters will be able to impress their prospective bosses with their mental agility and students taking exams can ace that standardized test. Or maybe we can all just finally figure out exactly how much change we should receive at the store.