The Child Prodigy from India, Known as the 'Human Calculator,' Sets Six Global Records in a Single Day
In a nod to the days when teachers claimed mental math was crucial since you couldn't have a calculator everywhere, a 14-year-old Indian whiz kid named Aaryan Shukla proved them right, taking it a notch higher. On February 12, this "human calculator kid" shattered six mental math world records within a span of 24 hours, according to Guinness World Records.
Vassiliki Bakogianni from Guinness World Records marveled, "This 'human calculator' could probably do mental math quicker than you could type it into your calculator."
With remarkable speed, Shukla accomplished:
- Adding 100 four-digit numbers in just 30.9 seconds
- Adding 200 four-digit numbers in 1 minute and 9.68 seconds
- Adding 50 five-digit numbers in 18.71 seconds
- Dividing a 20-digit number by a ten-digit number ten times in 5 minutes and 42 seconds
- Multiplying two five-digit numbers ten times in 51.69 seconds
- Multiplying two eight-digit numbers ten times in 2 minutes and 35.41 seconds
These records, Guinness World Records stated, are among the most challenging mental calculations ever attempted. His feat in February followed another world record he broke in April 2024 at age 13 – an astounding 50 five-digit number addition in 25.19 seconds, i.e., an addition every half second.
Virtually rendering math homework shortcuts irrelevant, Shukla expressed his method as almost instinctive. He admitted, "I just do it naturally," crediting his extensive training and intuition.
Shukla's exceptional mathematical skills were evident from his tender age of eight, winning medals at international competitions. Despite not having a mathematical background in the family, Shukla dedicates 5-6 hours daily for rigorous practice, complemented by Sahaja Yoga meditation for focus, school, video games, cricket, and traveling.
Backed by the Global Mental Calculators Association (GMCA), Shukla plays a significant role in promoting mental calculations worldwide. This association, undoubtedly, offers him additional training resources and support.
In essence, Aaryan Shukla's mental math prowess is a testament to diligent training combined naturally with his innate mathematical abilities.
In the future, advancements in technology and science might challenge Aaryan Shukla's mental calculation records, making calculators even faster.
Aaryan Shukla's mental math skills are so impressive that they could one day find a place in the Guinness World Records for technological achievements.
By 2024, Aaryan Shukla had not only broken a world record in mental calculations but also set a record for adding 50 five-digit numbers in less than 30 seconds.
As technology advances, the speed of calculators could potentially outpace human mental math, but for now, Aaryan Shukla's records remain unbreakable.
