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All Vedic Math Tricks for Addition and Subtraction

Introduction

Sometimes it is difficult to add or subtract large numbers. By some Vedic tricks, we can make it easy and stress-free. Also, we can do it within seconds. It’s very easy to solve.

Mathematics has always seemed to be challenging to study for many. To make it more learner-friendly, continued efforts, research, and advancements have been made throughout human history. In ancient times, easy methods of mathematical operations, namely, addition and subtraction, etc., were in practice. Vedic mathematics simplifies mathematical operations. Formulas and concepts of Vedic mathematics are widely accepted worldwide.

Vedic Mathematics, developed from ancient Indian texts, simplifies math using 16 main Sutras and 13 Sub-Sutras. Addition and Subtraction are made lightning-fast through logical, pattern-based methods.

Is Vedic Maths faster than an Abacus?

Vedic mathematics has various shortcut tricks and methods of doing calculations faster than normal, which are called Vedic Sutras. These tricks and sutras are very easy to learn and remember. An abacus is a mechanical device that helps solve arithmetic and calculation problems easily using different methodologies.

Both have their own benefits for developing the child’s mental state; the Abacus helps in developing the child’s brain, while Vedic math makes doing calculations easier and faster.

Vedic Mathematics is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are introduced to the beautifully unified and easy Vedic methods.

All Vedic Math Tricks for Addition and Subtraction

Here are some Vedic Maths Tricks. There are techniques for solving mathematical problems. This blog talks about addition and subtraction. These techniques are tricks resulting in efficiency and speed in solving mathematical problems. It ultimately leads to mental calculations. It consists of operations made repeated operations. Vedic mathematics tricks give answers in one step.

Addition Tricks (With Sutras)

 1. Left-to-Right Addition (Vilokanam)

The flexibility of the Vedic system is such that it is frequently possible to calculate from left to right or from right to left. Basic arithmetical calculations are normally only done from the right - except division, which is done only from the left. Being able to work from either direction adds to the flexibility and gives choice to the students.

Why calculate from left to right?

The main reason to calculate from left to right is that it makes it a lot easier to remember numbers this way. When we say numbers, and when we write numbers down, we naturally start at the left and work our way right. This allows us to say the answer as we are computing it mentally. Not only that…

 Another advantage of calculating from left to right is that we may only want the first one, two, or three figures of an answer, but working from the right, we must do the whole sum and get the most significant figure last.

Traditional addition often starts from the right (units place), which can be slower for mental math. Vedic Maths uses the Left-to-Right addition method, which aligns with how we read numbers and makes it easier to work mentally.

                                         

Trick: Add numbers from left to right (hundreds → tens → ones). It helps in doing sums quickly in the mind.

Example: 1     Add 437 + 256

Step-by-step (Left to Right):

Add hundreds: 400 + 200 = 600

Add tens: 30 + 50 = 80

Add units: 7 + 6 = 13                 

Now, add them all:

600 + 80 + 13 = 693 Ans

Example: 2     Add 678 + 487

Step-by-step (Left to Right):                                             

Add hundreds: 600 + 400 = 1000

Add tens: 70 + 80 = 150

Add units: 8 + 7 = 15

Now, add them all:

1000 + 150 + 15 = 1165 Ans

Example: 3      Add 345 + 289 + 176

Step-by-step (Left to Right):                                             

Add hundreds: 300 + 200 + 100 = 600

Add tens: 40 + 80 + 70 = 190

Add units: 5 + 9 + 6 = 20

Now, add them all:

600 + 190 + 20 = 810

Faster and more intuitive than traditional column-based addition, especially when done mentally.

 Addition Using Base Method (Nikhilam & Yaavadunam Sutras)

Trick: When numbers are close to 10, 100, or 1000, find how much each number is less than the base (called deficiency).

Example 1: Find the sum: 988 + 79

Base=1000

Step 1: 988 is 12 less than 1000

1000 - 988 = 12 deficiency
Step 2: Subtract 12 from 79

= 79 - 12 = 67
Step 3: Add base 

=1000+67=1067 Answer

Example 2 Find: 97 + 56

Base = 100

Step 1: 97 is 3 less than 100

100 - 97 = 3 deficiency
Step 2:  56 - 3 = 53

Step 3: Add base 

=100 + 53 = 153 Answer

Example 3 Find: 9 + 8

Base = 10

Step 1: 9 is 1 less than 10

 10 - 9 = 1 deficiency
Step 2:  8 - 1 = 7
Step 3: Add base 

10 + 7 = 17

Split Numbers for Easier Addition (Sankalana–Vyavakalanabhyam)

Trick: Break big numbers into smaller and easier parts, then add them step by step.
It helps to do sums mentally and quickly without carrying numbers in your mind.

Example 1: Find 55 + 47

Step 1: Split numbers:

55 = 50 + 5 and 47 = 40 + 7

Step 2: Add tens into tens, and ones into ones
=(50 + 40) + (5 + 7) 

= 90 + 12 = 102 Answer

Example 2: Find 346 + 278

Step 1: Split into hundreds, tens, and ones:

346= 300+40+6  

278=200+70+8

Step 2:A: Add hundreds into hundreds, tens into tens, and ones into ones
→ (300 + 200) + (40 + 70) + (6 + 8)
= 500 + 110 + 14
= 624 Answer

Column Addition Shortcut (Anurupye Shunyamanyat – “If One Is in Ratio, the Other Is Zero”)

Trick:
When two numbers balance each other around a common point (like one is more and the other is less by the same value), their differences cancel out.
It helps to add quickly, especially when numbers make a complete base like 10, 100, or 1000.

Example 1: Find 36 + 64

36 is 14 less than 50, and  64is 144 more than 50
→ +14 and –14 cancel out

Answer = 100

Example 2: Find 38 + 62

38 is 12 less than 50
62 is 12 more than 50
They balance each other

Answer = 100

Example 3: Find 395 + 605

395 is 5 less than 400
605 is 5 more than 600
→ +5 and -5 cancel each other

Answer = 1000

Subtraction Tricks (With Sutras)

Subtraction by Base (Nikhilam Sutra – “All from 9 and last from 10”)

 Nikhilam formula is used in the mathematical processes of subtraction and multiplication. Nikhilam formula (Sutra) is one of the 16 sutras of Vedic Mathematics. Nikhilam's formula states, “All from nine and the last from ten”. i.e., Nikhilam is applied to a number, subtract each digit from 9, and the last digit from 10.

Trick:

When subtracting a smaller number from a bigger one, subtract each digit from 9, the last digit from 10. This method makes subtraction quick, especially when the numbers are close to a base like 10, 100, 1000, etc.

Example 1: Find 1000 – 357

Step 1:Write the smaller number under 1000
Step 2: Subtract

·         First digit: 9 – 3 = 6

·         Second digit: 9 – 5 = 4

·         Last digit: 10 – 7 = 3

Answer = 643

Example 2: Find 100 – 47

Step 1: Write the smaller number under 100
Step 2: Subtract

·         9 – 4 = 5

·         10 – 7 = 3

Answer = 53

Equal Addition/Subtraction (Sunyam Samyasamuccaye – “When the sum is the same, it is zero”)

Trick:

When two numbers are equal or balanced around a point, adding or subtracting the same value from both does not change the difference. This makes calculations easier, especially for mental math.

Example 1: Find (48 – 23) + 2 – 2

Add 2 to both numbers and subtract 2 later:

=(48 + 2) – (23 + 2) 

= 50 – 25 = 25 Ans

Example 2: Find (95 – 47) – 3 + 3

Subtract 3 from both numbers and add 3 later:

=(95 – 3) – (47 – 3) 

= 92 – 44 = 48Ans

Left-to-Right Subtraction (Vilokanam – “By Mere Observation”)

Trick:

Subtract numbers from left to right instead of the usual right-to-left.
This method helps in mental subtraction and keeps calculations simple, especially for bigger numbers.

Example 1: Find 456 – 237

Step 1: Subtract hundreds: 400 – 200 = 200
Step 2: Subtract tens: 50 – 30 = 20 

 running total 200 + 20 = 220
Step 3: Subtract units: 6 – 7 →  not possible, so borrow 10 from 20

20-10=10

16 – 7 = 9 

Add 210 + 9 = 219 Ans 

Answer = 219

Example 2: Find 678 – 487

Step 1: Subtract hundreds first
→ 600 – 400 = 200

Step 2: Subtract tens next
→ 70 – 80 → not possible, so borrow 100 from 200
Now it becomes (200 – 100) = 100, and 170 – 80 = 90
Add 90 to total → 100 + 90 = 190

Step 3: Subtract ones
→ 8 – 7 = 1
Add to total → 190 + 1 = 191

Conclusion

Vedic Math tricks make addition and subtraction fast, easy, and fun. By using simple sutras like Nikhilam, Vilokanam, and Ekanyunena, we can solve big sums quickly in our minds without long steps. These methods help students build confidence and enjoy mathematics as a smart skill, not a burden.