Vedic Maths: Spark Subtraction

This method is called the Spark Subtraction because as the name suggests, with the help of this method we can do/compute our calculations within a spark of time. Kids from the age group of 8-12 years of age can easily understand this method. Before discussing the method, let us discuss the two basic concepts that we should know- Match Numbers & Mis-match Numbers.

If the minuend is greater than the subtrahend, then we call them as match numbers. Eg:- 8 - 2 = 6 (Match numbers), if the minuend is less than the subtrahend, then we call the numbers as mis-match numbers. Eg:- 2 - 8 = -6 (Mis-Match Numbers), in other words, we can say that if the subtraction is practically possible, it is a match number and if it is not possible then it is a mis-match number.

Compliments

We will be discussing 10’s complement, that is, what should be added to the number to get the sum as 10. Hence, below are the complements of the digits from 1 to 9 : 1↔9 2↔8 3↔7 4↔6 5↔5

Method:

Start your calculation from the left and move towards the right. Drop the first digit as it is. Check whether the next digits are match numbers or mis-match numbers. If the numbers are mis-match, subtract 1 from the digit on the left, then add the complement of the subtrahend to the minuend and write your answer.

Note - To save even more time, you can first check the match or mismatch number and then write the number.

Application:

All from 9 last from 10 This method is useful when you need to subtract from a number having 0’s at the end.

Method:

Do the partition in the minuend from right till the number of digits in the subtrahend. Subtract 1 from the left part To get the answer, apply all from 9 last from 10 to the subtrahend.