What is vedic mathematics? What is it used for?

Vedic Mathematics is an Indian system for doing large calculations, mainly arithmetic, mentally, or at least greatly simplified and not requiring paper.

The techniques are based on sixteen Sutras, or mathematical formulae.

For easy memorisation, the numerals 0..9 have multiple names so that sutras be written in rhyme or even as prayer, see third link below (rgupta) which has lots of illustrative examples for several sutras.

[wikipedia says] Developed by Shri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji which he claimed he had based on a lost appendix of Atharvaveda, an ancient text of the Indian teachings called Veda. It has some similarities to the Trachtenberg system in that it speeds up some arithmetic calculations. It claims to have applications to more advanced mathematics, such as calculus and linear algebra. The system was first published in the book Vedic Mathematics ISBN 8120801644 in 1965. The system has since been developed further and there have been several other books released.

Try it here http://ebookee.org/Complete-Book-Of-Vedic-Mathemat...