Aaryan Shukla, the 14-year-old maths prodigy from Maharashtra, made headlines after breaking six Guinness World Records in a single day during a mental maths competition in Dubai. His remarkable achievement caught the attention of Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, who expressed his awe on social media and inquired about the technique that allowed Shukla to perform such feats. Shukla revealed that his secret was a mental maths method called Flash Anzan, a technique he had spent nearly eight years perfecting. But the big question is, can this technique turn any child into a maths prodigy?
What is Flash Anzan and How Does It Work?
Flash Anzan is a super-fast mental maths method rooted in the traditional Japanese abacus, known as soroban. Instead of physically manipulating an abacus, practitioners visualize the numbers in their mind and perform calculations by mentally moving the beads. This technique trains the brain to process multiple numbers simultaneously, making complex calculations second nature. By stimulating the right side of the brain, Flash Anzan enhances memory, focus, and processing speed—skills that make someone capable of doing calculations faster than a calculator.
According to Nischal Narayanam, founder of Nischal’s Smart Learning Solutions, Flash Anzan not only focuses on speed but also on accuracy and cognitive agility. He cites Aaryan Shukla’s ability to add 100 numbers in just 30.9 seconds as a prime example of the method’s effectiveness. This technique helps improve overall cognitive performance, allowing individuals to perform faster and more accurate mental calculations.
Why Do Children Use Hand Movements While Calculating?
When children (or even experts) perform mental maths, they often use hand gestures, which serve a critical role in reinforcing memory and speed. These rapid hand movements help in visualizing numbers, improving focus, and increasing processing speed. In abacus-based methods, students start with a physical abacus but eventually visualize the beads while mimicking the movements with their fingers. This strengthens number processing and pattern recognition.
Other techniques, such as Chisanbop (Korean finger maths) and the UCMAS 6-Finger Technique, also use hand gestures to aid in calculation. Even simple methods like skip-counting with claps or taps can improve number retention and cognitive abilities.
Can Anyone Learn Flash Anzan?
While Shukla’s world record-breaking achievements may seem like the work of a prodigy, the truth is that anyone can learn and master the Flash Anzan technique with consistent practice. “Every expert was once a beginner,” says Nischal. Learning mental maths is akin to learning to ride a bicycle—it feels challenging at first, but with time and effort, it becomes easier.
Even just 10 minutes of daily practice in abacus or mental maths can improve focus, memory, and numerical intuition. While breaking world records takes years of dedication, anyone can use these techniques for everyday tasks like quick estimations, grocery bills, or even financial planning.
Is Flash Anzan Being Taught in Schools?
In countries like Japan and China, abacus training is a vital part of the education system. However, in India, Flash Anzan is not yet widely taught in schools. Dr. Aastha Gupta, assistant professor at SVKMS, NMIMS Chandigarh, explains that curriculum limitations and a lack of trained instructors are key reasons why this technique has not been integrated into mainstream education in India. Traditional maths methods remain the focus in many educational systems.
However, awareness of the benefits of mental maths is growing. Many parents now enroll their children in abacus and Vedic maths programs outside of school to strengthen their numerical skills. According to Dr. V. Sireesha, professor at GITAM University, techniques like Flash Anzan go beyond just numbers—they foster pattern recognition, logical thinking, and innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Conclusion
So, can Aaryan Shukla’s technique turn your child into a prodigy? While world records are the result of years of hard work, the answer is yes—Flash Anzan can significantly improve a child’s mental maths abilities with dedication and consistent practice. Whether it’s for improving daily calculations or unlocking cognitive potential, this technique has proven benefits that can enhance a child’s cognitive learning and mental agility.
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