The Abacus

An abacus is a simple but clever counting tool. It has a frame with rows of beads that slide. By moving the beads, you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. People have used the abacus for thousands of years.

An Old Invention

The abacus was first used over 4,000 years ago. The ancient Chinese, Romans, and Egyptians all used their own kinds. Each bead stands for a number. People learned quick ways to move the beads to solve math problems.

One of the oldest abacuses ever found, from ancient Greece.
One of the oldest abacuses ever found, from ancient Greece. (Wilhelm Kubitschek: „XII. Die Salaminische Rechentafel“ in: Numismatische Zeitschrift, Bd. 31, Wien, 1899, S. 394 ff / Wikimedia Commons)

Still Useful

Even today the abacus is used in some parts of the world. Kids in China, Japan, and Russia sometimes learn to use one in school. Skilled users can solve problems as fast as a calculator. It also helps children understand how numbers work.

Fun Facts

  • The word abacus comes from a Greek word meaning table.
  • The Chinese abacus is called a suanpan.
  • Some blind people use abacuses to learn math.

Did You Know?

In speed contests, kids using an abacus have beaten people using electronic calculators.