The Abacus

An abacus is a manual calculating tool consisting of a frame with rods, each holding beads that can be moved back and forth. It allows users to perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by manipulating the beads to represent numbers and calculations. The position of beads corresponds to different place values, similar to digits in a number. Used for centuries worldwide, the abacus develops mental calculation skills and offers a tangible way to understand mathematical concepts, serving as both an educational tool and a historical device for computation before electronic calculators.