Books with author Kenneth William Gatland

Yes, we do calculate backwards!We read, write and pronounce numbers and words from left to right, but we calculate from right to left (starting with the units).Not only is this inconsistent, it is unnecessary too. Because calculating left to right is extremely easy, as shown in this book.But there are other, stronger reasons for working left to right.The most significant (important) figures are always on the left, so in working from the left we get these figures first. And this means it’s far more efficient, especially for quick, mental calculations.Also the left to right method allows us to combine operations which means we can do huge calculations and get the answer digit by digit to any required accuracy.For these and other reasons left to right is the natural, sensible and easy way to calculate.Whether it’s to improve your mental maths skills, or to understand the simplicity and extraordinary efficiency of this method, this book has the potential to change the way you calculate forever.This book demonstrates that we calculate backwards, describes the advantages of working the alternative way from left to right, and shows how left to right calculations can be carried out.

Ten-year old Truman Henry Safford (born 1836) wasasked:“Multiply in your head365,365,365,365,365,365by365,365,365,365,365,365.”He flew around the room likea top, pulled his pantaloonsover the top of his boots,bit his hand, rolled hiseyes in their sockets,sometimes smiling andtalking, and then seeming tobe in an agony, until, in not morethan one minute, said he,“133,491,850,208,566,925,016,658,299,941,583,225!”‘Lightning calculators’, are not that uncommon andwhile we may not be able to match the brilliance of aTruman Henry Safford, we can all develop, with theaid of this book, a talent at mental mathematics.With these super-easy methods you need no longer beINTRODUCTIONcaught between the drudgery of the old dinosaur methodsand the ‘cop-out’ of the calculator. When BharatiKrsna Tirthaji reconstructed the ancient system ofVedic Maths (used in this book) earlier this century, heuncovered a beautifully integrated and complete systemof maths which had been lost for centuries. TheVedic system mirrors the way the mind naturally worksand so is designed to be done mentally.Fun with Figures is for those who think they are nogood at maths – and for those who are good atmaths. It is for those who would like to steal a littlelightning. The book answers a need of our time,offering easy, enjoyable maths which improves mentalagility and memory, promotes confidence and creativity– as well as being useful in everyday life.Each double page shows a simple mathematicalmethod and is independent of the others (with twoexceptions, which are indicated). In addition to thevarious everyday situations indicated in this book,you will surely find many other occasions for the useof these easy methods. There are many exercises foryou to practise and answers at the end of the book.