Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 12:42 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 12:42
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
MitDavidDv
User avatar
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Last visit: 02 Sep 2025
Posts: 62
Own Kudos:
802
Given Kudos: 76
Location: Tennessee
Concentration: MBA-Entrepreneurship
Schools:Belmont University
GPA: 3.0
Posts: 62
Kudos: 802
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 21 Apr 2011, 13:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Shalom!
During my preparation for the Quant section of the GMAT I came across the Indian techniques of Vedic Mathematics. Since I cannot use a calculator during the test I conducted a search for any easier ways to solve math problems without using a calculator. What I found was Vedic Mathematics. My question is has anyone in this club used Vedic Math techniques while taking the GMAT?



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block below for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!
avatar
ardk
avatar
Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Last visit: 05 Jan 2012
Posts: 104
Own Kudos:
22
 [1]
Given Kudos: 41
Status:Preparing for GMAT !!!
Posts: 104
Kudos: 22
 [1]
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 21 Apr 2011, 19:21
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
While I have never used the Vedic Mathematics books or concepts, being an Indian, I can attest that some of the books are held in high esteem, and are very popular among Indian standardized tests (read Engineering entrance, IT company entrances etc. where time is key). Books such as 'Shakuntala Devi' are considered a 'must' for these exams but then again complex calculations are part of these exams. I have seen some models (or tricks) and they seemed to be really cool.

I wouldn't recommend wasting time on them, as you shouldn't be requiring any shortcuts or calculations on GMAT, particularly if you don't have much time for your exam preparation.

My 2 cents.
avatar
ardk
avatar
Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Last visit: 05 Jan 2012
Posts: 104
Own Kudos:
22
Given Kudos: 41
Status:Preparing for GMAT !!!
Posts: 104
Kudos: 22
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 21 Apr 2011, 19:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I meant shortcuts on calculations.

Also, anyone with personal experience can add more, as it benefits me also.
User avatar
retro
User avatar
Joined: 16 Mar 2011
Last visit: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 71
Own Kudos:
263
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3
Status:700 (q47,v40); AWA 6.0
GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V40
GMAT 1: 700 Q47 V40
Posts: 71
Kudos: 263
 [1]
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 23 Apr 2011, 13:52
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'd not care if anybody does offer short cuts to calculation, if my focussed objective was to attack GMAT questions. Vedic mathematics be a favorite pass time, when you do have the time. I love the Lilavati Ganitam (an ancient Indian treatise) as a favorite pass-time. Spending time on basic concepts would be more fruitful.

That said, I do use some shortcuts when l see numbers on the GMAT questions. More often than not, I have the following numbers on my finger tips:

sqrt(10) ~ 3.15
sqrt(2) ~ 1.41
sqrt (3) ~ 1.73
sqrt(5) ~ 2.25
sqrt(7) ~ 2.65

I also use extensively the following rule:

The square of any number in a form x5 is x(x+1)25.

A little explanation for the above rule:

325*325 = (32*33)25=105625

This is what I used to compute sqrt(10) above. 1000 is nearly 32*31 so sqrt(10) should be b/w 32/10 and 31/10 or nearly 3.15. The result may not be the most accurate computation on earth. But GMAT does not require you to be more computative than this. At least, that is what I have observed. Others can correct me if I am wrong.

Regards
Rahul
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,441
Own Kudos:
79,413
 [1]
Given Kudos: 485
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,441
Kudos: 79,413
 [1]
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 23 Apr 2011, 14:57
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Though I have been quite a proponent of Vedic Math and used it to an extent, you dont need it - at all - for GMAT. The calculations in GMAT are very basic e.g. you will not need to multiply a two digit with another two digit number very often. If you see yourself faced with multiplying anything more complex, it means you didn't get the point of the question. Whatever calculations are a part of GMAT, they can be easily done orally (for the most part). What is important is how well you understand the concepts. So I wouldn't advice you to invest time in picking up Vedic Math.
That said, there are a few things that you need to 'remember'. They are useful in quite a few questions.
1. Squares of first 20 numbers
2. Cubes of first 10 numbers
3. Multiplication Tables till 15 at least (preferably till 20)
4. Exponents - Of 2 till \(2^{10}\), Of 3 till \(3^6\), Of 4 and 5 till \(4^4\) and \(5^4\).

Knowing these are relevant to GMAT.
User avatar
MitDavidDv
User avatar
Joined: 28 Jan 2011
Last visit: 02 Sep 2025
Posts: 62
Own Kudos:
802
Given Kudos: 76
Location: Tennessee
Concentration: MBA-Entrepreneurship
Schools:Belmont University
GPA: 3.0
Posts: 62
Kudos: 802
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 25 Jun 2011, 17:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Shalom Karishma,
Thank you for this response. I wrote down all the things you said I need to remember. I have a question. I have noticed in some of the harder GMAT Quant questions there are some big numbers to be calculated (ex. 650-plus-level-question-114310.html). How do I go about doing this without the use of a calculator?
User avatar
pike
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 08 Jan 2009
Last visit: 27 Dec 2020
Posts: 245
Own Kudos:
505
Given Kudos: 7
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V46
Posts: 245
Kudos: 505
From MitDavidDv: Indian Vedic Mathematics 28 Jun 2011, 00:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nice list Karishma



Archived Topic
Hi there,
This topic has been closed and archived due to inactivity or violation of community quality standards. No more replies are possible here.
Where to now? Join ongoing discussions on thousands of quality questions in our Quantitative Questions Forum
Still interested in this question? Check out the "Best Topics" block above for a better discussion on this exact question, as well as several more related questions.
Thank you for understanding, and happy exploring!