How To Use An Abacus

How To Use An Abacus-The process of using an abacus is not as difficult as you think. We all know that before the invention of the calculator or the computer, people used what is called the Abacus to solve any form of a mathematical problem.

An abacus can be seen as an orthodox device used for calculation and has been in existence for decades. It’s a rectangular wooden frame with divisions by horizontal bars, and it usually has an upper and a lower section.

It has seven beads attached to a certain series of wires, and it extends from the top to the bottom of the frame. The two beads that are in the upper room consist of five beads each, and the lower one has a value of one. 

How To Use An Abacus For Counting Calculation

This is the step-by-step process of how you can make use of the Abacus to count, and it’s not as complex as it all sounds. The Abacus can be used for both addition and subtraction, multiplication, and division. To know more, all you need to do is to keep reading and follow the process.

• Ensure Your Abacus Is Properly Oriented

Your Abacus is expected to be properly oriented, and this is how to know if it is well arranged. Ensure the top row column contains one or two beads on each row, and each bottom column should have four beads.

At the beginning, all the beads should be up at the top row and also at the bottom; all the beads represented in the top row stand for a value of 5, and each bead represented in the bottom row is seen at the value of 1.

• Count With The Beads In The Lower Row

Put one bead in the up position to start counting one digit. To symbolize one, move a single bead to the up position from the bottom row of the farthest column that is located on the right, use two, and so on.

• Do Well To Complete The 4/5 Kinds Of Exchange.

Since there are only four beads in the bottom row, you must move all four beads from the bottom row into the “down” position in order to change the number from “four” to “five.” At this point, the Abacus accurately reads “five.” Push one bead from the bottom row up to indicate the number “six,” making the top row bead in the down position (indicating the value of 5) and the bottom row bead in the up position.

How To Make A Local Abacus For Your Kids

If you are looking for a way to make a local abacus for your kids in order to keep them busy or help them in learning the addition and subtraction division or multiplication, you can follow this below guide, and soonest, you’ll be able to create an abacus for your kid. Before you proceed, ensure you have the below listed requirements before you can make it.

Requirements Needed To Make A Homemade Abacus

• Different colors of beads
• Hard Glue Gun
• 10 pipe cleaners.
• 2 dowel rods

If you’ve been able to acquire the above requirements, you cannot begin your process.

• Separate beads based on the different colors you have
• Make sure you arrange dowel rods in a vertical position. 
• Ensure the pipe cleaners are positioned in the horizontal position.
• Twist the pipe cleaners and glue them at the end.
• Add the beads in one color group on one pipe cleaner, and make sure you glue it.

The Benefits of Using an Abacus

There are many benefits you get to enjoy when you make it over because it includes the below listed points.

• It strengthens your memory.
• The individual’s visualization skills are improved.
• The level of concentration becomes high.
• Speed and accuracy in carrying out mathematical questions
• The use of an abacus tends to boost creativity levels.

The Types Of Abacus

From the Information gathered, there are different types of abacuses depending on where it originates, and these Abacus all have a few differences as well as similarities.

The Roman Abacus

Back then, in Rome, people tended to utilize it when it came to calculation, and this was usually carried out on a smooth table. As of then, most users of Abacus were mostly bankers, businessmen, and those who are usually involved in counting money daily.

The Roman Abacus is made up of a metal plate. They also had other types of Abacus in Rome like the line abacus, groves abacus, and dust abacus.

In the Russian Abacus, there’s little difference between the Chinese Abacus and emotional abuse. The abacus rod is placed horizontally, and the beat is usually from right to left during that because it is always kept on the days with the right-hand coinciding with the abacus ring.

Binary Abacus

Apart from performing arithmetic operations, the Abacus can be used to explain the process of manipulating numbers. Finally, Abacus can be used to convert decimal numbers to binary, and this is done by arranging a series of beads on three rolls and each piece is 1 and 0.

Cranmer Abacus

The Abacus was named after Tim Cranmer, and it’s more like a modified version of the Abacus or purposely for visually impaired people. This has really helped those who have lost their sight because they can use their hands to feel it and the beads attached, unlike the modern day means of calculation.

Chinese Abacus 

The Chinese Abacus is also known as the suanpan and has about 7, 9, 11, or 13 rods, depending.

Japanese Abacus

The Japanese Abacus is named Soroban, and it is capable of providing a visual and tangible tool that gives students the ability to see as well as manipulate a physical representation of abstract numbers using a simple device; the Japanese Abacus has about 9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31 rods.

Modern-day Soroban Abacus

This has been in existence since 1922 and has 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 or 31 rods. Although the Abacus seems complex, if you can’t use it because it seems to be more of a simple but deceptive tool, it is usually important and very vital, especially for those who are visually impaired.

Frequently Asked Questions

While using the Abacus, you might have different questions popping through your mind as it concerns the Abacus; as a result of that, certain answers have been provided to answer the frequently asked questions.

Does The Abacus Help With Mental Math?

The use of the Abacus can help to promote the fast development of mental math skills and also ensures your whole brain is balanced.

What Kind Of Math Can You Do With An Abacus?

Using an abacus, you can be able to carry out addition, subtraction, division, as well as multiplication. This Abacus, if utilized, can also be used to extract square roots as well as cubic roots.

You might probably feel the Abacus is not capable of performing mathematical operations, but this small instrument is capable of providing solutions to various mathematical problems.

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Is The Abacus Still In Used In Japan?

Up to date in Japan, the use of the Abacus is well taught in most Japanese schools; even though the teaching is not as intense as it used to be, the centuries-old tool is still recognized and helps to preserve that Japanese culture.

Does Abacus Increase IQ?

Children who start using an abacus at a young age have a better chance of being far ahead mentally compared to those who do not use an abacus. This fact has not been scientifically proven, but when it comes to visual and auditory memory tests, Abacus plays a very important role.

When Was The Abacus Invented?

The Abacus has been in existence for over a long period of time; the use of the Abacus has its foundation as far back as 2700 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. The modernized type of the commonly used Abacus was invented in the second century in China.

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Is It Possible To Make One With 10 Columns?

It all depends on the number of beads on the columns; once it is complete, you can make any number you want it to be.

How many beads per column does a simple abacus have?

The abacus should have 3 beads up in the farthest column left, four up in the next farthest, a blank column, a column with one bead up, two beads up in the next, and another blank column. The rest of the columns are open.