Vedic Maths is packed with elegant techniques that transform tedious calculations into quick mental steps. Whether your child is preparing for board exams, competitive tests, or simply wants to impress their classmates, these 20 tricks are the essential toolkit. Each trick is explained with a clear example so you can start using them immediately.
Multiplication Tricks
Trick 1: Squaring Numbers Ending in 5
Any number ending in 5 can be squared instantly. Take the digits before the 5, multiply by one more than that number, and append 25.
Example: 75 squared. Take 7, multiply by 8 (one more) = 56. Append 25. Answer: 5,625.
Try it: What is 95 squared? (9 x 10 = 90, append 25 = 9,025)
Trick 2: Multiplying Numbers Near a Base (100, 1000)
When both numbers are close to a base like 100, find how much each differs from the base. Cross-subtract to get the first part of the answer, then multiply the differences for the second part.
Example: 97 x 94. Both near 100. 97 is -3, 94 is -6. Cross-subtract: 97-6 = 91 (or 94-3 = 91). Multiply differences: 3 x 6 = 18. Answer: 9,118.
Trick 3: Multiplying Numbers Where First Digits Are the Same and Last Digits Add to 10
When two 2-digit numbers share the same tens digit and their units digits add to 10, multiply the tens digit by one more than itself for the left part, and multiply the units digits for the right part.
Example: 43 x 47. Same tens digit (4), units add to 10 (3+7). Left: 4 x 5 = 20. Right: 3 x 7 = 21. Answer: 2,021.
Try it: What is 62 x 68? (6 x 7 = 42, 2 x 8 = 16, answer = 4,216)
Trick 4: Vertically and Crosswise (Universal Multiplication)
This single method handles all multiplication. For 2-digit numbers: multiply units vertically, multiply crosswise and add, then multiply tens vertically.
Example: 23 x 41. Units: 3 x 1 = 3. Cross: (2 x 1) + (3 x 4) = 2 + 12 = 14 (carry 1). Tens: 2 x 4 = 8, plus carry = 9. Answer: 943.
Trick 5: Multiplying by 11
To multiply any 2-digit number by 11, simply add the two digits and place the sum between them.
Example: 35 x 11. Add 3 + 5 = 8. Place 8 between 3 and 5. Answer: 385.
Example with carry: 78 x 11. Add 7 + 8 = 15. Place 5 between, carry 1 to the left. Answer: 858.
Trick 6: Multiplying by 5
To multiply any number by 5, divide by 2 and append a zero if the result is whole, or simply write the half with .5 or .0.
Example: 86 x 5. Half of 86 = 43. Append 0. Answer: 430.
Example: 87 x 5. Half of 87 = 43.5. Answer: 435.
Squaring Tricks
Trick 7: Squaring Numbers Near 100
For numbers just above or below 100, use the base method. Find the difference from 100, add/subtract it to the other number, and square the difference.
Example: 103 squared. Difference from 100 = +3. Add 3 to 103 = 106. Square 3 = 09. Answer: 10,609.
Example: 96 squared. Difference from 100 = -4. Subtract 4 from 96 = 92. Square 4 = 16. Answer: 9,216.
Trick 8: Squaring Numbers Ending in 1
For any number ending in 1, square the number without the 1, add the original number (without the 1), and append 1.
Example: 41 squared. 4 squared = 16. Add 4 = 20. Append 1. Answer: 1,681.
Trick 9: Squaring Numbers Ending in 9
Subtract 1 from the number, square that, add the original number and the reduced number, then subtract 1.
Example: 49 squared. 49 - 1 = 48. 48 squared = 2,304. Add 49 + 48 = 97. 2,304 + 97 = 2,401.
Trick 10: Squaring 2-Digit Numbers Using the Duplex Method
The duplex of a single digit is its square. The duplex of a 2-digit number AB is 2 x A x B. For a 3-digit number ABC, duplex is (2 x A x C) + B squared.
This method lets you build the square from right to left. It is the foundation of Vedic squaring for any size number.
Subtraction and Division Tricks
Trick 11: Subtracting from Powers of 10 (All from 9, Last from 10)
To subtract any number from 100, 1000, 10000, etc., subtract each digit from 9 except the last digit, which you subtract from 10.
Example: 1000 - 347. 9-3=6, 9-4=5, 10-7=3. Answer: 653.
This eliminates the need for borrowing entirely and works for any power of 10.
Trick 12: Division by 9
To divide any number by 9, the first digit of the quotient is the first digit of the number. Each subsequent digit is found by adding the remainder from the previous step to the next digit.
Example: 134 divided by 9. First digit: 1. Add 1 to 3 = 4. Add 4 to 4 = 8. Remainder: 8. Answer: 14 remainder 8.
Trick 13: Quick Division by 5
To divide by 5, multiply by 2 and then divide by 10 (move the decimal point).
Example: 345 divided by 5. 345 x 2 = 690. Divide by 10 = 69. Answer: 69.
Trick 14: Checking Answers with Digit Sums
Add the digits of each number in your calculation, perform the same operation on the digit sums, and compare with the digit sum of your answer. If they match, your answer is likely correct.
Example: 23 x 41 = 943. Digit sum of 23 = 5, of 41 = 5. 5 x 5 = 25, digit sum = 7. Digit sum of 943 = 9+4+3 = 16 = 7. Matches, so the answer is likely correct.
Fraction and Percentage Tricks
Trick 15: Converting Recurring Decimals to Fractions
Vedic Maths provides a direct method for converting recurring decimals to fractions. Place the recurring digits over the same number of 9s.
Example: 0.333... = 3/9 = 1/3. 0.272727... = 27/99 = 3/11.
Trick 16: Finding Percentages Quickly
To find x% of a number, multiply by x and divide by 100. But Vedic shortcuts make common percentages instant: 10% = move decimal one place left. 5% = half of 10%. 15% = 10% + 5%. 25% = divide by 4. 50% = divide by 2.
Example: 15% of 240. 10% = 24, 5% = 12. 24 + 12 = 36.
Advanced Tricks
Trick 17: Multiplying Numbers with 11 as a Factor
If one of the numbers is 11 or a multiple of 11, use the special method: split the other number and insert their sum in the middle.
Example: 11 x 34 = 3 (3+4) 4 = 374.
Trick 18: Finding Cube Roots of Perfect Cubes
For 2-digit perfect cubes, the cube root can be found by looking at the last digit of the cube and using a simple lookup. If the cube ends in 1, the root ends in 1. If it ends in 8, the root ends in 2. If it ends in 7, the root ends in 3, and so on.
Example: Cube root of 4,913. The number ends in 3, so the root ends in 7. The number is between 1,000 (10 cubed) and 8,000 (20 cubed), so the tens digit is between 10 and 20. The thousands digit is approximately 5, so the root is 17. Verify: 17 x 17 x 17 = 4,913. Correct.
Trick 19: Simultaneous Equations Using Vedic Methods
Vedic Maths offers a direct substitution-free method for solving simultaneous equations by observing the coefficients and applying the "If the Samuccaya Is the Same" sutra.
Example: 3x + 2y = 17 and 2x + 3y = 18. Adding both equations: 5x + 5y = 35, so x + y = 7. Subtracting: x - y = -1. Solving: x = 3, y = 4.
Trick 20: The Digit Sum Verification for Multiplication
After multiplying two numbers, verify by computing digit sums. Multiply the digit sums of the factors, find the digit sum of that product, and compare with the digit sum of your answer.
Example: 34 x 56 = 1,904. Digit sum of 34 = 7, of 56 = 11 = 2. 7 x 2 = 14, digit sum = 5. Digit sum of 1,904 = 14 = 5. Match confirmed.
Putting These Tricks into Practice
Reading about Vedic Maths tricks is just the beginning. The real transformation happens when students practice these techniques daily until they become automatic. At Priti Ganit Guru, our Vedic Maths program teaches all 16 sutras systematically with extensive guided practice, ensuring that each technique is deeply understood and readily applicable.
Book a free demo class to experience these techniques live with expert guidance. Your child will learn at least two powerful Vedic tricks in the demo session itself and leave with skills they can use immediately in school and daily life.
Priti Gupta
Founder & Lead Instructor
Priti Gupta is a certified abacus and Vedic Maths instructor with over a decade of experience training 5,000+ students across India. She is passionate about making mathematics accessible, enjoyable, and empowering for every child — regardless of their starting level. Through Priti Ganit Guru, she has helped thousands of young learners develop confidence, speed, and a genuine love for numbers.