Grace Abacus

Abacus is an instrument that was invented about 2,500 years ago in China. It was the first device used for counting and calculating before introduction of the computers, calculators or even arithmetic using paper and pencil. The abacus was the most advanced device for crunching numbers. It was time tested and proven as the complete brain development tool. An abacus, also known as a counting frame, is a calculating tool with beads that slide across on rods. The most common abacus is split into two rows:

The top row (upper beads) is for the “fives”

The bottom row (lower beads) is for the “ones”

The upper beads are located in the upper deck and the lower beads are located in the lower deck.

Besides the rows, the abacus has different columns. Each column represents a place value such as tens, hundreds, and so on. The amount of place values varies depending on the size and design of the abacus.

The abacus is used to teach children arithmetic. An abacus tool allows children to perform basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As children progress in learning the abacus, they can learn long division and using the operations with negative numbers.

Besides enhancing the overall comprehension of mathematics, the abacus offers other important benefits.

What are some other benefits of the abacus?

A great visualization tool

Enhances better and faster calculating skills

Improves problem solving abilities

Sharpens focus

Teaches clearer logical reasoning

Enhances photographic memory

Provides a solid learning foundation for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Increase concentration power, memory power, imagination power, speed, accuracy, learning capacity.