Abacus

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Abacus

What is an Abacus?

Abacus is a simple tool or a hardware used for performing rapid arithmetic calculations. Calculation based on abacus was invented in the ancient times and now widely used as a brain development programme. It consists of a rectangular frame holding a number of vertically arranged rods, on which beads slide up and down.
  • One of the most popular calculating methods from ancient times.
  • Children do fast calculations in mind by visualizing Abacus bead movements.
  • Researches prove that Abacus learners use both sides of the brain- left hemisphere & right hemisphere.
  • Highly effective in improving the concentration level of children.

What is Mental Arithmetic ?

  • ‘Mental Arithmetic’ is a term used in Abacus for the calculations done in mind.
  • Even large numbers can be calculated in mind, that too within seconds
  • ‘Mental arithmetic’ improves student’s imagination skills
  • Effective in cracking competitive time based tests.
  • Mind calculation enhances the concentration level of child.

Parts of Abacus

  • The boundary on all 4 sides of the abacus is called the Frame.
  • The abacus which we are using has 17 rods. Each rod has 5 beads.
  • The abacus is divided into the upper and the lower part by a horizontal bar called the Beam.
  • The beads in the lower part are the Lower Beads or the Earth Beads.
  • The beads in the upper part are the Upper Beads or the Heaven Beads.

What are the advantages of Abacus ?

  • Mental arithmetic Calculations
  • Improves Concentration skills
  • Improves imagination skills
  • Sharpen memory power
  • Boost confidence
  • Personality Development

Soroban Method

Soroban Abacus is the traditional Japanese model of Abacus used for performing basic arithmetic operations. Apart from this model, a Chinese version of Abacus was used in ancient times which was called as Saunpan Abacus. The Suanpan is a horizontally structured Abacus that has 2 blocks. The upper block constitutes 2 beads and lower block constitutes 5 beads in each rod.
Soroban is a horizontally structured Abacus that has 2 blocks. The upper block constitute of only 1 bead and lower block constitutes of 4 beads in each rod. The red color movable buttons are called beads and the movement of these beads represent numbers.

Key factor

Like any other skill, Practice is the key factor to master Abacus. To become a skilled operator, children have to spend atleast 30 minutes a day during the course of learning. After taking a new lesson on Abacus, student must practice the same for atleast 5 days before taking the next lesson. This is the reason why our school conduct classes once in a week rather than conducting the classes throughout the week.