was it hard to learn?
2006-07-19 22:38:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
No.. I dunno what it is..... If it is not a calculator then forget it! LOL! Well, I can use a ten key..... LOL! What do we need an abacus for anyway? We have puters, and ten keys and calculators good enough. Pooh!
2006-07-20 12:35:27 · answer #1 · answered by ~ Lavender ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hi:
You certainly can and no it not hard to learn. Once you master the basic of it. It fact I own about five of them and I can do addition, subtraction multiplication and division with it. Did you know that a Chinese abacus was use to check the calculated results from the world first electronic computer, the Eniac. It's true. I have the picture of it. and until the 1950's, the abacus actually beat the electronic electromechanical calculator in addition,subs traction, and multiplication , only in division did the computer do better in a contest in 1947 between the electronic calculator and the abacus in Japan. It's true . Basic arithmetic on a abacus is so easy. even five years olds can do math on it. in fact some of those kids can do it by mentally visualizing the abacus and moving the beads in their heads so fast that they can actually beat the computer in only. How long they can input the information from the keyboard to the computer via (punch keys) in getting the answers. It's true
there are about three type of Abacus in current use:
1) The Chinese abacus or Suan Pan.
It has two beads on the top row and 5 beads on the bottom
2) The Japanese abacus or Soroban, there are two types
A) The ancient or old style as one bead in the top row and five beads in the bottom row
B) the Modern or new version has one bead in the top row and four beads on the bottom row this was done to streamline the Abacus
3) the Russian Schoty is has ten to twenty bead per row
See the Sources for more info
2006-07-20 19:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you understand how it works, it's easy to use. The main thing to remember is that the top beads have a value of 5 and the bottom ones have a value of 1. The first column on the right represents the ones place, the second represents the tens place, the third represents the hundreds place, and so on. You can find a bunch of sites on Google that will teach you how to use an abacus.
2006-07-20 05:53:38 · answer #3 · answered by Cepheid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Abacus is a Mathematical Instrument used in the olden days, widely in Asia (Mainly china).
Its not easy to learn or use, as its like using the beads counter.
It uses the concept of ones, tenth and hundredth.
U have sliding beads in colums divided into sections.
On section is ones, the other tenth and hundereds.
Cheers.
2006-07-20 05:43:17 · answer #4 · answered by isz_rossi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I can. So?
On one stick are five singles/units and two 5 pointers.
I have one with 15 sticks.
So I can calculate to a max of 10^15 - 1.
Today I use a pocket calculator.
2006-07-20 06:43:57 · answer #5 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can count to ten it shouldn't be too hard. I never did take the time to learn it properly. It was too easy [lazy] to to just use a calculator.
2006-07-20 05:44:47 · answer #6 · answered by Neil S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and no, it's not hard at all if even a mathematically challenged person like me can learn it.
2006-07-20 05:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I am used it.
If you pointed your exactly use, I can help.
I see it was not so hard to learn.
2006-07-20 06:00:34 · answer #8 · answered by sam 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know just the basics and don't own one. But i prefer calculator better.
2006-07-20 05:55:35 · answer #9 · answered by nayanmange 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not as difficult as the canopener
2006-07-22 01:58:28 · answer #10 · answered by Walsingham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋