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There are obviously many different techniques that children can be taught as to how they can use an abacus for abacus math calculations. The private tutors employed at the two Math Genie math for kids schools in New Jersey in the United States of America have their own specific way of teaching abacus math to children attending the math lessons on a specific type of abacus preferred by the private math tutors. The following abacus math techniques are Japanese and they use a modern ‘one to four’ bead Japanese Soroban abacus. Many Soroban abaci are beautifully crafted and wonderful to look at, especially the older ones. However, for some people the Soroban abacus may not be the instrument of choice. The Chinese have their own version of the abacus, which is a ‘two by five’ bead suan pan. There are those who prefer to use a Chinese instrument because it has a larger frame and larger beads allowing for larger fingers. It really does not matter which instrument teachers and or parents as well as children use to perform abacus math calculations. The procedures are virtually the same for both and these methods are well suited to either instrument. The Japanese Soroban abacus consists of a frame with vertical rods on which beads move up and down. Dividing the upper and lower portion of the abacus is a horizontal bar called a beam or reckoning bar. On a modern-day Soroban abacus one bead sits above the beam and four beads sit below. The beads above the beam are often called heaven beads and each has a value of five. The beads below are often called earth beads and each has a value of one. Along the length of the beam, you will notice that every third rod is marked with a dot. These specially marked rods are called unit rods because any one of them can be designated to carry the unit number. While the abacus operator makes the final decision as to which rod will carry the unit number, it is common practice to choose a unit rod just to the right of center on the abacus. The dots also serve as markers by which larger numbers can be quickly and efficiently recognized. For example, when given a number such as twenty three million four hundred and fifty six thousand seven hundred and eighty nine an operator can quickly identify rod B as the ten millions rod and go ahead and set the first number two on that rod. This ensures that all subsequent numbers will be set on their correct rods and that the unit number nine will fall neatly on unit rod one. Visit Math For Kids Problems Abacus Lessons Everyday Cool Games Private Tutors to contact Math Genie and enroll your child to improve their math ability.
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