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The Abacus utilizes a combination of two bases (base-2 and base-5) to represent decimal numbers. It is held horizontally with the smaller deck at the top. Each bead on the top deck has the value 5 and each bead on the lower deck has the value 1. The beads are pushed towards the central crossbar to show numbers. Working from right to left, the first vertical line represents units, the next tens, the next hundreds and so on.

So for example to show the number 9, on the first line, one heaven bead (top deck) would be moved down (representing 5 units) and 4 earth beads (bottom deck) would be moved up (each representing 4 units). To show the number 79, in addition to the beads in the first line used to make the number 9, one heaven bead would be moved down and two earth beads would be moved up on the second line, representing 5 tens and 2 tens respectively.

Addition on the abacus involves registering the numbers on the beads in the straight-forward left-to-right sequence they are written down in. As long as the digits are placed correctly, and the carry

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Q: How was the abacus actually used as a simple calculator?
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Related questions

Is the abacus an old version of the calculator?

Yes, abacuses (or is it abaci?) were used to calculate simple maths problems.


What is the ancient rod and bead device used to track debts?

abacus. Actually it's a calculator.


Who invented the abacus and what is it used for?

The abacus was invented by the ancient Chinese people and was used to perform mostly mathematical calculations. In Japan, even to this day, the abacus is still used for simple calculations. Many people consider the abacus the first "computer" or at least the first calculator.


What were the calculating devices before the invention of computer?

The earliest recorded calculating device is the abacus. Used as a simple computing device for performing arithmetic, the abacus most likely appeared first in Babylonia (now Iraq) over 5000 years ago.


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What has been used as a type of manual calculator in the Orient for centuries?

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Abacus and Calculator and are same to the extent that both are used for doing calculations. One learnt how to use, these can help you to do calculations really fast. - Neeraj Sharma


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Either a calculator or an abacus. If not, your fingers.


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An abacus was used anciently to count using beads.


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In what time period? Abacus, calculator, number counter . . . .