Vivek Raj
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Vivek Raj | |
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| Born | 1990 Alappuzha, Kerala, India |
| Occupation | Mathematician; Mental calculation expert |
| Known for | Mental math records in Limca Book of Records and Guinness World Records; "Mathemagics" shows |
Notable work | Project Mathletics (proposed initiative) |
Vivek Raj (born 1990) is an Indian mathematician and mental calculation expert from Alappuzha, Kerala, known for his exceptional speed in performing complex mathematical operations mentally.[1] He holds records in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness World Records for feats such as rapid multiplication and memorizing large numbers.[2] Vivek Raj promotes mathematics education through his "Mathemagics" shows and the proposed "Project Mathletics" initiative.[3]. Top media houses like History tv, Hindu, Manorama and India Today has documented and featured his achievements.
Early life and education
Vivek Raj was born in 1990 in Alappuzha, Kerala. His interest in numbers began in Class VII when his father gifted him a Casio calculator, which sparked a fascination with mental calculations. In Class XII, his English teacher, Father Titus Chullickal, encouraged him after witnessing his ability to multiply the number 7 repeatedly to produce an 11-digit number.[4] Vivek Raj honed his skills through self-learning, inspired by American mental math expert Scott Flansburg.[5]
Mental calculation achievements
In April 2015, Vivek Raj was awarded two Limca Book of Records certificates, presented by then-Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. One record was for the fastest mental multiplication, multiplying the number 67 by itself five times to reach an 11-digit number in 15 seconds. The other was for the fastest addition, adding the number 23 to itself 19 times in 10 seconds.[4]
In March 2022, he set a Guinness World Record by memorizing and recalling a 28-digit number in just 4 seconds at the age of 32.[6][7]
His performances often involve audience interaction, where he rapidly adds or multiplies user-given numbers. At Sree Narayana Gurukulam College of Engineering, he added the number 24 repeatedly 20 times to reach 1,25,82,912 in just 10 seconds. He has mentioned that numbers like 99 are "child's play" for him.[4]Vivek Raj achieved an incredible feat of speed and accuracy by reaching and reciting a 44-digit product.[8] In the presence of prominent witnesses—including Jail DIG M K Vinod Kumar, Dr. Sunil Markose, M S Vinod, and Guinness record holders P Abesh, Dominic, and Harikrishnan—Mr. Raj officially broke the world record.[9]
By memorizing such a vast sequence, he surpassed the previous record held by Morteza Javid Ahmedabadi, who had memorized a 27-digit number. This new benchmark continues a competitive lineage that began in 1999, when Germany’s Dr. Gert Mittring first established the category by memorizing a 22-digit number.[10]
Mathemagics shows
Vivek Raj conducts "Mathemagics" shows across schools and colleges in Kerala, aiming to make mathematics fun and accessible to students. These interactive events showcase his rapid mental math skills and seek to combat math anxiety among young learners.[4]
Project Mathletics
Inspired by Telangana’s "Project Infinity," Vivek Raj proposed "Project Mathletics" to the Kerala government. The initiative aims to fight math phobia and improve numeracy through fun tricks and techniques.[3]
Recognition and challenges
Vivek Raj has been featured in The New Indian Express, The Hindu, Times of India, Mathrubhumi, and OnManorama, where he is often referred to as the "fastest human calculator" or "mathemagician." Comparisons have been drawn between him and Shakuntala Devi.[11]
References
- ↑ S, Nandalal, Bechu (January 7, 2022). "India is a flight ticket away from losing this 'mathemagician' to the Middle East". The New Indian Express. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Maths is fun! Learn from this Kerala 'mathemagician'". Maths is fun! Learn from this Kerala 'mathemagician'. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 S, Nandalal, Bechu (January 7, 2022). "India is a flight ticket away from losing this 'mathemagician' to the Middle East". The New Indian Express. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Kandukuri, Divya (October 22, 2016). "The fast master of mathemagic". The New Indian Express. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Alappuzha native Vivek, a superfast human calculator".
- ↑ "Memorising 28 digits in just 4 seconds, Alappuzha man sets Guinness World Record". @mathrubhumi. March 22, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ↑ "Kerala: Math wiz from Alappuzha sets Guinness record". The Times of India. March 24, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2025 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- ↑ "HISTORY TV18 | the Human Calculator".
- ↑ "Vivek Raj from Kerala sets new world record by memorising 28-digit number in 4 secs".
- ↑ "Vivek Raj from Kerala sets new world record by memorising 28-digit number in 4 secs".
- ↑ "On Shakuntala Devi's birthday, this Vedic maths expert and Guinness record holder longs for recognition". Times Now. November 4, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
External links
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