Abacus Explained - Everything You Need To Know - History-Computer

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Abacus Explained — Everything You Need To

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January 4, 2021 / November 30, 2022 by Rebecca
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Key Points
As the most ancient calculator known, the origin and inventor of the abacus is unknown.
It’s a straightforward calculator that is still used in many countries in schools today.
This counting frame allows individuals to track, add, subtract, multiply, and divide
numbers easily.
5 Facts About the Abacus

The origin of the abacus is still debated. Similar counting frame objects are believed to
have been used in ancient China and Babylon.
An abacus is known as a Schoty in Russian and a Suanpan in Chinese.
Modern abacuses are used to assist students with visual impairments.
Using an abacus as a calculator has been shown to improve children’s mental math
capabilities.
Modern computer operating systems use binary abacus to read numbers.
Next
A Roman abacus Stay
The Chinese Suanpan is an abacus of

Chinese origin.
The Soroban is an abacus of Japanese

origin.
Abacus History
As the most ancient calculator known, the origin and inventor of the abacus is unknown. It’s
been used for centuries in China and has a long history of use in Ancient Greece, Rome,
Russia Japan, and Babylon. Next
Stay
The name is of Greek origin. Abax means “flat surface” in Ancient Greek. It was taken by the
Romans and became abacus in Latin. Its pronunciation in English is “a-buh-kuhs.” This
pronunciation stresses the first “a.”
Quick Facts
Created
Debated; Between 2,700 BC and 300 BC

Creator
Debated; Unknown creator in Babylonia or China
Original Use
Counting board
Cost
NA
Replay
Despite its ancient history, the abacus continues to be used in modern times. The modern
abacus is attributed to Tim Cranmer, who invented the Cranmer abacus in 1962. It’s still
used for teaching individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
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Typus Arithmeticae, considered the “muse of

arithmeti
Abacus: How It Worked

Despite its long history and unknown inventor, the abacus has worked basically the same
way throughout the centuries. It’s a fairly straightforward calculator that is still used in many
countries in schools or markets for counting.
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Most abacuses are made of a frame with wood rods and beads. Ancient devices used
marble or stone parts. The idea of this counting frame is that each rod represents a
sequential place value. Starting either with the tens place or a decimal place, increasing from
right to left.
Many designs have four or five beads on a bottom row, with one to five beads on the top
row. Pushing one bead from the top row to the center counts as five. You can then push
additional beads from the bottom or, if available, from the top to count up to nine in that
place value.
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This counting frame allows individuals to track, add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers
easily. It helps ensure quick calculations when working with large numbers and makes the
calculation process visible to both buyer and seller or teacher and student.
Abacus: Historical Significance

As commercial transactions became more complicated, a calculating tool was essential to

make quick calculations and avoid errors. This origin, whether in Ancient China or Babylon,
has been used throughout history and is continued to be used as a convenient calculator for
commercial transactions.
Replay
The abacus is also an ancestor of the modern calculator and computer. Binary digit, the
numbering scheme used to encode and decode digital messages, is based on an abacus
design. The two possible binary digits are 0 and 1, but they are also described as low and
high, which are the two possible positions for beads on an abacus.
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Abacus Explained
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
When was the abacus invented?
The exact date of the invention of the original counting frame is unknown. The abacus is
believed to have been invented between 2,700 BC and 300 BC. Next
Stay
What is an abacus?
An abacus is a calculating tool that’s been used for centuries and is still popular in many
countries. It’s pronunciation is “a-buh-kuhs.”
Who invented the abacus?
Because the abacus is one of the first calculators created, its origin may predate the
historical record. The abacus inventor is unknown.
Next
Stay
Where was the abacus invented?
The abacus was either invented in Babylon or in Ancient China. The exact history is
unknown.
Who was the first to use the abacus?
The Babylonians, Ancient Chinese, Japanese and Russians all used a calculating tool similar
to a modern-day abacus.
Next
How do you use an abacus? Stay
This calculating tool uses a counting frame and a series of beads on an upper and lower set
of rods. Beads are pushed to the center to mark numbers in different place values, making it
easy to make complex calculations.
Is the abacus the first computer?
While not technically a computer, the abacus is known as the first calculating tool. It’s also
one of the first inventions that led to the first computer, credited to Charles Babbage in
1822.
About the Author

Rebecca
My name is Rebecca and I'm a Freelance SEO Editor and Content Creator. I
love all things technology and I play a wide range of video game genres. I
love my Nvidia Gaming PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
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12/14/22, 5:12 PM Abacus Explained — Everything You Need To Know - History-Computer

 / Inventions / Abacus Explained — Everything You Need To Know

Abacus Explained — Everything You Need To

5 Facts About the Abacus

The Chinese Suanpan is an abacus of

The Soroban is an abacus of Japanese

Debated; Between 2,700 BC and 300 BC

Typus Arithmeticae, considered the “muse of

Abacus: How It Worked

Learn Math - Free,

Abacus: Historical Significance

As commercial transactions became more complicated, a calculating tool was essential to

When was the abacus invented?

Who invented the abacus?

Where was the abacus invented?

Who was the first to use the abacus?

Is the abacus the first computer?

About the Author

More from History-Computer

8GB vs 16GB RAM: Full Comparison & Winner!

The 10 Largest and Most Important Battery Companies in the World

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Our forex spreads

Start trading now

Free Online Math Lessons

Latest from History-Computer

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Do Not Sell My Personal Information

About Us Contact Us Stories Privacy Policy

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