This ‘Human Calculator’ can Solve Complex Math Problems in Just Seconds

Aaryan Shulka’s nickname is the “human calculator” according to Live Science. But this moniker isn’t quite accurate. Shulka, a teen from Maharashtra, India actually outperforms the calculator, solving math problems in his head at a faster pace than most people can type the equations into their calculators. Now, at age 14, Shulka’s become the proud owner of six new Guinness World Records for mental math.

Record-Breaking Mental Math
At a recent Guinness World Records event in Dubai, UAE, Aaryan wowed the crowd by adding 100 four-digit numbers in only 30.9 seconds, performing at a rate of an average of one calculation every 0.3 seconds! 

Aaryan also broke five other records at the Dubai event, including adding 200 four-digit numbers in only one minute and 9.68 seconds, adding 50 five-digit numbers in 18.81 seconds, multiplying two five-digit numbers in 51.69 seconds, multiplying two eight-digit numbers in two minutes and 35.41 seconds, and dividing a set of ten 20-digit numbers by a set of ten-digit numbers in just five minutes and 42 seconds.

In addition to these records, the Guinness World Records revealed that Aaryan set a seventh record a year ago, adding 50 five-digit numbers in 25.19 seconds, or at a rate of one calculation every 0.5 seconds.

A Math Prodigy
Aaryan’s parents discovered his unique talent in his early childhood. “Since childhood, he was very good…with numbers. He enjoyed studying and playing with numbers,” Aaryan’s mother explained to Guinness World Records, adding that, “At the age of six he started the practice of mental calculation, and he was very good, so we started doing some research on this. 

His father shared that his son’s abilities came as a surprise. “We are a normal family,” he explained. “Aaryan is a one in a billion kind of person, but I don’t think that we are a family of mental calculators.”

By age eight, Aaryan was already competing internationally and winning trophies. And at a Guinness event a year ago at 13 he earned his first world record. 

Aaryan also founded and is on the board of the Global Mental Calculators Association (GMCA), a unique extracurricular for a teenage boy. The association is made up of geographically diverse mental calculators and holds its own competitions.

Daily Math Practice
Aaryan’s father said that they need to balance how many hours a day Aaryan is allowed or expected to practice math. 

“Aaryan enjoys numbers and mental calculations,” his father explained. “We as parents have a role to make sure that he doesn’t get overloaded or stressed when practising…But [being a world champion and record holder] now he has to carry some responsibility also. So it is a balance between his age and his responsibilities.
In addition to math, Aaryan spends time meditating, a practice that he credits his mathematical success to regularly meditating. “Sahaja Yoga meditation helps me to keep calm and focused,” he said. “[in order] to keep the balance, relaxing is important.”

Winning the competitions and smashing records gives Aaryan a sense of achievement as well. Referencing his world records, he said, “I feel great. I’m proud that I’m officially amazing. [This] is a dream for me!”