Meet the boy who turns vehicle number plates into maths problems

PETALING JAYA: Most six-year-olds spend car rides gazing out the window or asking how much longer it will take to reach their destination. Vishakan Thanarajan does something different.

As vehicles pass by, he studies their registration numbers and turns them into multiplication questions in his head.

It’s a habit that has fascinated his family since he was three years old, and one that recently earned him a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR).

On June 12, Vishakan set a record in the category “Most Multiplication Completed By A Child In One Minute” after correctly solving 53 multiplication questions in 60 seconds.

For his parents, the achievement is merely the latest chapter in a story that began years ago. “The signs were there very early,” his father, K Thanarajan, told Bernama.

During family outings, Vishakan would entertain himself by studying vehicle number plates, relating the digits to multiplication tables and other mathematical patterns.

He would often recite multiplication facts spontaneously, turning ordinary journeys into mental arithmetic exercises.

His fascination with numbers extends beyond the classroom. Rather than identifying relatives and family friends by their names, Vishakan often remembers them by their house numbers – a quirk that left his family both amused and impressed.

As he grew older, his parents realised his abilities were far beyond what would be expected for a child his age. While many children are still mastering basic arithmetic, Vishakan was confidently working through multiplication tables that included the 21-times table.

Recognising his interest, Thanarajan and his wife, J Mira Sharvina, decided to nurture his talent. They enrolled him in maths classes and encouraged him to participate in related programmes and competitions.

For Mira Sharvina, the record itself is not the most important part of the story.

“As parents, we simply try to understand what interests him and support him by creating the right environment and opportunities so that Vishakan can go even further in the field he loves,” she said.

The couple credit consistency for helping their son develop his skills. “No matter how busy we are, we still spend one hour at the study table with him,” she added.

That routine began when Vishakan was just over three years old. Weekdays are generally set aside for learning activities, while weekends remain reserved for play and rest.

His mother hopes the achievement serves as a reminder that every child develops differently and may possess talents that are not immediately obvious.

For Vishakan, however, the attraction remains simple. Whether it’s a multiplication table, a house number, or a passing licence plate, the world is full of numbers waiting to be explored.