Vedic mathematics is based on sixteen su-tras which serve as somewhat cryptic instructions for dealing with different mathematical problems. Below is a list of the su-tras, translated from Sanskrit into English. They were presented by a Hindu scholar and mathematician, Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja, during the early part of the 20th century.

1. By one more than the previous one
2. All from 9 and the last from 10
3. Vertically and crosswise (multiplications)
4. Transpose and apply
5. Transpose and adjust (the coefficient)
6. If the Samuccaya is the same (on both sides of the equation, then) that Samuccaya is (equal to) zero
7. By the Para-vartya rule 
8. If one is in ratio, the other one is zero.
9. By addition and by subtraction.
10. By the completion or non-completion (of the square, the cube, the fourth power, etc.)
11. Differential calculus
12. By the deficiency
13. Specific and general
14. The remainders by the last digit
15. The ultimate (binomial) and twice the penultimate (binomial) (equals zero)
16. Only the last terms
17. By one less than the one before
18. The product of the sum
19. All the multipliers