Monday, August 13, 2012

ABACUS - History

Modern Times Abacus :

Modern Times Abacus :
Modern Times: The Suan-pan, the Soroban and the Schoty are from the period c. 1200 A.D to the present.
Abacus is a Latin word that has its origins in the Greek words abax or abakon (meaning “table” or “tablet”) which in turn, possibly originated from the Semitic word abq, meaning “sand”. 
The abacus is an instrument, a manual tool invented by the Chinese 2000 years ago. We offer training using the Japanese Soroban abacus, which is has one upper row of beads and four lower rows. 
We have found the Soroban abacus particularly effective for teaching mathematical calculating skills to young children.
The abacus is a tool used by the Chinese since about 500 BC for the simplest of calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as fractions and square roots. 
A Chinese abacus is made up of a wood frame divided into two parts separated by a beam, with an upper deck of two rows of beads and a lower deck of five rows of beads. A series of vertical rods allows the wooden beads to slide freely. 
         The abacus as we know it today did not appear in China until about 1200 A.D. Over time the abacus traveled to Japan and evolved into what it is called today: the soroban. 
A soroban is made up of a wooden frame divided into two parts separated by a beam, with upper deck of one row of beads and a lower deck of four rows of beads.

No comments:

Post a Comment