What is an Abacus?
Abacus is a mathematical instrument that is used to slide counters on grooves or rods to carry out mathematical calculations. Apart from calculating the fundamental functions of adding subtraction, multiplication, division, the abacus is able to calculate the roots to an amount of the cubic.
Abacus is an academic journal for accounting that is that is edited and published by the University of Sydney.
Understanding Abacus
Prior to the Hindu-Arabic system of numbers was created in India during the 6th or 7th centuries and was introduced to Europe during the 12th century used to count using their fingers and even their toes , in tropical societies. As larger amounts (greater than 10 fingers and toes might symbolize) could be counted individuals took small, simple-to-carry items like pebbles seashells, and twigs to make amounts.
But, traders who traded goods required an easier method to keep track of the various goods they purchased and sold. The abacus is among numerous counting devices that were created in ancient times to assist in counting massive numbers. It has been believed that it first utilized by the Babylonians at least 2400 B.C. 1 The abacus was used throughout Europe, China, and Russia long before the introduction in the writing Hindu-Arabic number system. As the Hindu-Arabic numeral system was accepted by the masses and accepted, abaci were modified to make use of place-value counting, an approach where the position of a number in the number determines the value. With the standard system, the base ten is used, and every place is 10 more times that of the spot next to it. Since the beginning of the abacus, the physical form and structure of abaci have changed, however the idea has lasted for almost five millennia. It remains in use to this day.
Evolution of Counting Devices
In the course of time counting devices continued to change due to technological advancements. For instance around 1622 the modern slide rule was created and was widespread until 1972 after which time it was replaced by the Hewlett Packard HP-35 scientific calculator rendered it outdated. 2 3 Today, many people use calculators on their smartphones and computers. However, the abacus still a reliable tool that is used to shop owners in Asia and Chinatowns in North America, as well as by traders, merchants and clerks across Eastern Europe, Russia, and Africa.
Modern Applications
Another use for abaci in the world is to teach arithmetic youngsters, specifically multiplication. abaci can be used to replace the rote learning of tables for multiplication.
Furthermore, people who are unable to use calculators due to visual impairment can utilize an Abacus. Blind children are usually taught to use an calculator to study math and to perform calculations, as a substitute for pencils and paper.
In harsh field conditions basic abaci are frequently used by infantry soldiers in a variety of militaries even to this day. Often referred to “pace counters” they serve to determine the distance traveled by a feet for navigational reasons using a set of beads across the cordage of a fixed piece typically one bead every 100 feet.
Academic Journal
Abacus Abacus Journal of Accounting, Finance, and Business Studies is an academic journal peer-reviewed by a panel of experts named in honor of the Abacus. Abacus is published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Accounting Foundation, based at the University of Sydney, Australia. It was first published in 1965, and covers current issues of professional and academic thought in the fields of finance, accounting and business. The journal presents innovative, new research, critical reviews, analysis of the finance, accounting regulations for business and analyses of accounting, business, and financial practice. 4
