Miami-based company Math Monkey has opened a franchise in Lake Mary, Fla., to teach more children the ways of Vedic mathematics.

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The company says Vedic math, an Indian system supposedly derived from ancient texts, turns the brains of young math students into effective high speed calculators, The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

"It just livens the mind," said Kenneth Williams, a British scholar and Vedic mathematics expert who serves as the company's chief academic officer. "Really you shouldn't have to rely on a calculator or pencil and paper for something the mind is quite capable of doing without them."

The company uses Vedic techniques teamed with primate themes to teach math. Students are outfitted with monkey masks and squeaky toy gorillas that are used as signals during races to finish problems.

The math skills learned by the students will come in handy when it comes time to pay the bill -- the Lake Mary center charges $176 for a four-week session.