Taiwan

http://th.gio.gov.tw/show.cfm?news_id=1349 December 11, 2000 Taiwan He@dlines

Kaohsiung siblings break math world records

Published: December 11, 2000

Source: United Daily News

A brother and his two sisters from Kaohsiung City shattered four Guinness World Records for arithmetic calculation Saturday, under the extemporaneous testing of Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh and other officials.

Wang Chia-lu, a first-year student at Kaohsiung's Lingya Middle School and currently in level 15 of his mental arithmetic studies, first challenged the record for multiplying two eight-digit figures, correctly calculating the sum in 25.08 seconds, thereby breaking the world record.

The boy then attempted the world record for multiplying two 13-digit figures. The standing record of 28 seconds was set by Shakuntala David, an Indian woman, in 1980.

However, in his first attempt, Wang's answer was wrong in three places, despite the fact that he calculated the sum in 27.08 seconds. The organizers gave him an additional chance, in accordance with the rules, and Wang set a new record of 26.51 seconds.

Wang Chia-lu's two younger sisters performed just as sensationally.

Twelve-year-old Wang Yi-hui, currently in level ten of her mental arithmetic studies, added two 100 single-digit numbers in 18.98 seconds, beating the previous Guinness record of 19.23 seconds.

Finally, 8-year-old Wang Hui-yin, currently in level seven of her mental arithmetic studies, challenged the record for calculating the square root of a six-digit number. She raced across the finish line in a stunning 10.48 seconds, more than 50 seconds faster than the original record of one minute and 3.8 seconds.

The performance, billed as a Guinness World Record challenge to "usher in the 21st century," was sponsored by World Mental Arithmetic Co., Kaohsiung City Government, and other organizations, and took place Saturday at Kaohsiung City's Yencheng Elementary School.

Mayor Hsieh and reporters covering the event selected the figures for the tests extemporaneously. Among those attending as witnesses were Steven Day, chairman of Guinness World of Records-Asia, attorney Tang Ah-ken and computer calculation expert Chen Hung-cheng.

Every action by the three siblings gripped the several hundred observers. In particular, Wang Chia-lu's failed attempt, followed by success, carried the audience to a high peak of drama.

During the siblings' world record challenges, organizers were simultaneously calculating the correct answers by computer. The results of the challenge were announced at the time by Day, who also signed the world record verification certificate.

http://taipeitimes.com/chnews/2000/12/10/brief/0000008687 Sunday, December 10th, 2000 TAIPEI TIMES

Whiz kids set new records
STAFF WRITERS, WITH AGENCIES

Three child prodigies from Kaohsiung set world records in arithmetic yesterday. Wang Chia-lu, age 13, set new records for multiplying two eight-digit numbers as well as two 13-digit numbers in a contest sponsored by the Guinness World Asian Witness Center. It took Wang only 26.51 seconds to come up with the 26-digit answer for multiplying two 13-digit numbers, breaking the 28 second Guinness world record set by Shakuntala Devi of India in 1980. Also, Wang's two sisters - Wang Yi-hui, 12, and Wang Hui-yin, 8 - also broke records at the event.

http://www.taiwanheadlines.gov.tw/20000719/20000719s5.html Wednesday, July 19, 2000 Taiwan He@dlines

Teen-ager breaks memory records

Published: July 18, 2000

Source: Central News Agency

The boy could well be called a genius, although he says he does not feel that way at all.

Thirteen-year-old Wang Chia-lu's claim to fame is that he has broken two world records -- in mental arithmetic and memory -- to earn himself a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

He broke the world record of 26 seconds in a speed multiplication of two 13-figure numbers, setting a new record of 23 seconds, and smashed another world record by reciting the names of 55 items after a quick glance. The previous world record was 50 items, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Wang, who will attend junior high school this autumn, said he does not feel particularly excited by smashing the world records. "I just did it as I usually practiced," he said.

According to Wang's father, his son began to learn and practice mental arithmetic at the age of four and has never ceased.

The junior Wang was a hyperactive child when he was smaller, and as he grew older, he remained active and even naughty at times. However, according to his father, he becomes focused and concentrated when he does his arithmetic.

Asked what he wants most to become when he grows up, Wang said he has always been fascinated with space science and he might like to follow this path.

Wang's only complaint was that he has such a good memory he finds it hard "to forget unhappy things."

WMA - World Mental Arithmetic site On english version web master forget realize links WMA Press Reports