What was the significance of the abacus?

Answer 1

An abacus is used as a tool to train children how to perform complex mathematical operations quickly and efficiently. One of the advantages of an abacus is that it gives a color coded physical representation of a number system. This allows a student proficient with an abacus to eventually start performing mathematical operations in his/her head as they can visualize how the abacus would look if they were to perform the operation physically. The abacus has another positive use as it is a good teaching tool to help blind students learn math.

It is significant because it was the precursor to the modern calculator. It is a portable device that can be carried on person to perform mathematical operations without the need for a writing instrument or paper.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abacus