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67 multiplied by 67… Even for a veteran financial institution accountant, the reply to this could require a calculator or on the very least pen and paper. 67 x 67 is 4489 and 4489 x 67 is 300763, the calculator can inform us in seconds. But what if somebody needed to do it mentally? It would take a minute or two for a layman.
Now, hear this. In August 2015, Alappuzha-native Vivek Raj entered the Limca Book of Records by multiplying the quantity 67 to itself time and again till it reached 11 digits in 15 seconds. Next, he added the quantity 23 to itself time and again till it reached seven digits in 10 seconds to assert a second report. Both the numbers had been chosen at random by the examiners and given to Vivek on the spot. But any quantity from 10 to 99 would have made no distinction to the person who tamed the beast of arithmetic way back.
Some may discover it troublesome to think about an individual doing such complicated arithmetic within the thoughts. But there may be extra. “By the time he was in Class VII, I could tell the multiplication table of at least 1000 numbers by heart. Within two years, it reached 10,000 numbers. Today I can tell you the multiplication table of at least one lakh numbers. I can tell the cube root and multiplication of any two-digit number in a couple of seconds,” the 31-year-old provides.
Vivek considers iconic mathematician Scott Flansburg his function mannequin. They are kindred souls in a manner as each of them have specialised in the identical department of arithmetic – development. It includes steady addition and multiplication of numbers. Vivek has mastered the talent so nicely that he can go on until the result’s a 32-digit quantity.
In April 2016, Alappuzha-native Vivek Raj entered the Limca Book of World Records by multiplying the digit 67 5 occasions in 15 seconds to succeed in a 11-digit quantity. (Photo | Nandalal)
Though he’s gifted, certified and humble, all just isn’t nicely with Vivek. Engulfed by the thirst for his ardour, he by no means doubted his choice to observe it regardless of being a certified engineer. Vivek made it his life mission to cull all kinds of prejudice and phobia about arithmetic — particularly in younger minds. He determined to turn into a “mathemagician” — a wizard destined to amaze and entice minds to his favorite topic utilizing his reward. Vivek would problem a calculator on the display screen behind him on a stage as he went on fixing query after query in entrance of the awestruck viewers.
Applause by no means allured him a lot that he forgot his larger mission. Vivek additionally grew to become a Vedic math tutor to switch his talent set to increasingly folks. While folks of all age teams are welcome to hitch, he enjoys educating youngsters essentially the most.
“Vedic maths is to Indians what the abacus is to China. It is derived from the Atharva Veda and consists of 16 Sanskrit sutras and 13 sub-sutras. Mastering them all will make you capable of doing all techniques of Vedic maths,” says Vivek.
Vedic maths permits folks to reply mathematical queries irrespective of how large the numbers concerned are. Vivek teaches his pupils to calculate large numbers sans pen and paper.
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But, being an unbiased math tutor was not straightforward. What began as a 30-day programme needed to be reduce all the way down to a 15-day programme with an hour every day as dropouts elevated. New admissions had been uneven, making it inconceivable to rely upon this alone to make ends meet. “Even kids with a taste in maths are likely to discontinue a course like this due to their academic demands,” Vivek mentioned.
The arrival of the pandemic did not assist as there have been no extra stage reveals and courses needed to be taken on-line.
Vivek has spent too many valuable years engaged on his ardour to stroll again now. However, with every passing day, the bitter realities of life appear to be getting nearer. How lengthy can somebody depend upon an unreliable tuition programme to make ends meet?
“I am qualified. I spent the best years of my life mastering and propagating mathematics. But that came at a cost. I have no professional experience to show and will have to start from a fresher’s scale even if someone wants to hire me,” the son of two retired academics mentioned.
Vivek Raj considers iconic mathematician Scott Flansburg his function mannequin.
Having skilled the predicament of the unorganised sector, Vivek tried to get the eye of the federal government. He believes the way in which he has labored to grasp the talent he possesses, it isn’t an excessive amount of to ask for the help of the authorities. However, he did not need it without spending a dime. Having learnt that the Telangana state authorities had applied a venture on thoughts maths known as “Project Infinity”, he submitted a proposal of the identical variety to the Kerala authorities final yr. However, Vivek’s “Project Mathletics” has not acquired a constructive response thus far.
While some people like Alappuzha MP AM Arif have been continually in contact with Vivek and aiding his efforts, it has not supplied the specified outcomes but.
“If supported by the government, math phobia among our children can be addressed effectively with the tricks and techniques I have. But I can’t wait forever. While I love the world of mathematics and teaching, I have obligations and responsibilities that won’t wait. So I might have to look for alternatives now,” he mentioned.
By alternate options, Vivek means forsaking the world of arithmetic in order that he can lastly quiet down and deal with his ageing mother and father.
“In 2017, History TV aired my programme in five languages and I got amazing opportunities from many parts of the world including Europe. Abu Dhabi’s leading abacus firm had offered me the position of their chief mentor. But I declined them all back then because I was hopeful of finding something fulfilling here in my homeland. The truth is, I regret that decision now,” he added.
Vivek’s plan is to fly to the Middle East on a visiting visa the place he has a couple of interviews lined up. Life is so exhausting on the maths wizard that he’s pressured to journey overseas to attempt his luck. Vivek’s departure has been slowed down by the certificates attestation by Norca. If not for the pandemic, he would have left India lengthy again.
Vivek’s curiosity in numbers began when he was 13 years outdated. (Photo|Nandalal)
“There is no one else who can do a 32-digit calculation as I do. But sadly hard work alone won’t do the trick for you. I have learnt it the hard way,” he mentioned.
December 22 is National Math Day. Vivek spent the one which simply handed feeling downcast. He is unsure the place he might be when the subsequent Math Day arrives. If he isn’t right here in his motherland, doing what he loves essentially the most, will probably be a disgrace.
