What Is An Abacus?

Aug 12, 20172 min read

What Is An Abacus?

Abacus (plural abaci or abacuses), is a counting frame, used as a calculating tool. It is a very ancient tool and was used widely by many, particularly, the merchants and traders mainly in Asian and African countries and also in other parts of the world. Even though the oldest Abacus found is said to be as old as belonging to 300 BC, and were in use in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greek, Rome and India, its usages are much found in China and Japan.

Chinese Abacus:

The Chinese Abacus is called Suanpan. The documentary evidence is said to lead to the use of Abacus in China to 2nd century BC. The Chinese Abacus has more than seven rods. In the upper deck, there are two beads on each rod and in the bottom, there are five beads each.

Japanese Abacus:

Japan used only the imported Abacus from China in the 14th century. In Japanese, the abacus is called SOROBON. Even in these days of electronic Calculators, abacus is in use in Japan and the Abacus is used in the primary Schools of Japan to develop mental arithmetic skills.

Abacus And Its Benefits:

Arithmetic functions are done using abacus – moving beads on rods which have specific values
It is used for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Calculation in Mental Arithmetic mode by Image of Abacus
Abacus based Arithmetic functions, calculations thereof enhance Concentration levels.
Calculations done with Abacus, using the fingers of both the hands stimulate the brain – both the Right and Left Brain.
Helps kids learn basic number systems
Helps Kids understand combinations of five and ten
Helps kids visualize the math and develops mental calculations

Indian Abacus:

Indian Abacus is the latest device in the history of Abacus, invented in the year 2012 by Mr. N. BAHSHEER AHAMED, Managing Director and CEO, of Indian Abacus Private Limited, Chennai, India. It has four versions.

Indian Abacus – Non-digital for students
Indian Abacus – Digital for students
Indian Abacus – Non-digital for Teachers
Indian Abacus – Digital for Teachers

The Indian Abacus is a tool for calculation, learning which children of the age group 5 to 13 years can do fast and accurate mental arithmetic, more particularly it helps in enhancing their brain skills such as CONCENTRATION, VISUALIZATION (PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY) by activating the right brain, the seat of intelligence.

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