Modern day mathematics involves using numbers in which the digits are either (i) all positive or (ii) all negative. However, strange as it may seem, Vedic mathematics sometimes makes use of numbers which may contain both positive and negative digits. These numbers are commonly known as vinculum numbers and are very useful instruments for doing mathematical calculations.
The vinculum number is obtained by converting the digits that are greater than 5 (in the number) to digits less than or equal to 5. (Number TransFormer)
After the conversion, all the basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication etc are carried out with relative ease using the converted (vinculum) number.
In a vinculum number, a bar on the top of the digit represents a negative digit and these negative digits are also known as a rekhank digits or bar digits.
The videos below show how to convert from a common number to a vinculum number and vice versa, as well as how to carry out basic operations (addition and subtraction) using the vinculum process.
Conversion of a common number into a vinculum number (download PDF)
Conversion of a vinculum number into a common number (download PDF)