Abacus

Abacus

Traditional abacus

The abacus is a calculating tool that has been used since ancient times. It consists of a frame with rods, on which beads are moved to perform arithmetic calculations. The abacus is still used today in some parts of the world, particularly in Asia, for teaching arithmetic to children and for practical calculations.

History

The abacus has a long history, with its origins tracing back to ancient civilizations. The earliest known abacus was used by the Sumerians and later by the Babylonians. The device evolved over time, with different cultures developing their own versions.

Ancient Abacuses

Salamis Tablet

The Salamis Tablet, dating back to around 300 BC, is one of the earliest known counting boards. It was used by the Greeks and is considered a precursor to the modern abacus.

Roman Abacus

Roman abacus reconstruction

The Romans developed their own version of the abacus, which was a portable device made of metal or wood. It was used for calculations in commerce and engineering.

Chinese Abacus

The Chinese abacus, known as the suanpan, was developed around the 2nd century BC. It typically has two beads on the upper deck and five beads on the lower deck, allowing for complex calculations.

Japanese Abacus

Japanese soroban

The Japanese abacus, or soroban, is a simplified version of the Chinese abacus. It has one bead on the upper deck and four beads on the lower deck, and is still used in Japan today.

Variants

Quipu

Quipu

The quipu was used by the Inca Empire as a recording device. It consisted of colored threads and knots, and while not an abacus in the traditional sense, it served a similar purpose in keeping numerical records.

Yupana

Yupana

The yupana was another calculating device used by the Incas. It was a grid-like structure used for arithmetic operations.

Russian Abacus

Russian schoty

The Russian abacus, or schoty, is a single-deck abacus used in Russia. It is still used in some shops and markets for quick calculations.

European Abacus

European abacus

The European abacus, or Kugleramme, was used in medieval Europe. It was similar to the Roman abacus but adapted for the decimal system.

Modern Use

The abacus is still used in some parts of the world, particularly in Asia, for teaching arithmetic to children. It is valued for its ability to enhance mental calculation skills and improve concentration.

Related Pages

• Calculator
• Mathematics
• History of mathematics
• Numerical cognition

Gallery

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  Telraam

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  Illustration from Margarita Philosophica

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  Abacus

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  Salamis Tablet

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  Roman Abacus Reconstruction

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  Abacus

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  Soroban

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  Quipu

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  Yupana

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  Schoty Abacus

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  Kugleramme

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  Telraam

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  Margarita Philosophica

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  Rechentisch