Many students have traditionally found the processes of algebraic manipulation, especially factorisation, difficult to learn. This study investigated the value of introducing students to a Vedic method of multiplication of arithmetic numbers to algebra that is very visual in its application. This research considered a possible role of the "Vertically and Crosswise" sutra for improving facility with, and understanding of, the expression of algebraic binomials and the factorisation of quadratic expressions. It employed a case study methodology, using a single class of Year 10 (age 15 years) students. The students were taught an appropriate Vedic sutra following teaching of the traditional FOIL method of multiplication of binomials, and the decomposition method for factorisation. The authors found that afterwards the students performed significantly better overall on these types of algebra questions, and specifically on the factorisations, and there was weak evidence of better results on expansion using a grid format. (Contains 6 figures and 4 tables.)