1. The Abacus
By: Ashley Margolis

2. What is an Abacus An abacus is one of the first counting devices
It is used for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
It is a calculator used by manually sliding counters along rods
Pullan, J.M.. The History of the Abacus. Great Britain: Hutchinson of London, 1968.

3. How is the Abacus used?

4. 2 + 6 Answer = 8 Addison Example
"Abacus Guide Book." Abacus. 18 Nov 2007 <

5. Advantages of learning the Abacus
Helps kids learn basic number systems
Helps kids understand barrowing and carrying in arithmetic
Helps Kids understand combinations of five and ten
Helps kids visualize the math and develops mental calculations
"Abacus." 15 October November 1007 <

6. Disadvantages of using an Abacus
Unlike a calculator it can only be used for Addison subtraction, division and multiplication.
Because counters are manually moved, its hard to tell if you make a mistake.
Abacus." 15 October November 1007 <

7. Why does the Abacus exist?
Earliest counting device was the hand and fingers.
When people started to count larger things used twigs and pebbles.
Until numbers were used, people used many different types of counting devices and the Abacus was one of them.
Fernandes, Luis. "A Brief History of the Abacus." Abacus, The Art of Calculating with Beads. 30 August Nov 2007 <

8. Can every one use the Abacus?
Used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Gives blind students a tool to solve math problems that are long and difficult.
Allows these students to complete problems as fast as their peers.
Used switches instead of beads
"Abacus Guide Book." Abacus. 18 Nov 2007 <

9. Different types of Abaci
Chinese
Russian
Japanese
Roman
Called a Soroban
Called a Suanpan
Has two beads on top of beam for weights and measures.
In wood frame, 2 beads on top and 5 beads on the bottom
Is considered
the first pocket
calculator.
Called a Schoty
10 beads on each rod
Start by moving all the
beads to the right side.
Move beads from right
to left.

10. Interesting facts about the Abacus
Abacus come from the Greek word “ABAX”, which means calculating table.
The first record of the Abacus if from a drawing from the 14th century
A lot of people in Russia and China still use the Abacus today.
The Abacus is faster then a calculator in Addition and Subtraction.

11. Bibliography
"Abacus." 15 October November 1007 <
Pullan, J.M.. The History of the Abacus. Great Britain: Hutchinson of London, 1968.
"Abacus Guide Book." Abacus. 18 Nov 2007 <
Fernandes, Luis. "A Brief History of the Abacus." Abacus, The Art of Calculating with Beads. 30 August Nov 2007 <