Amazing Art of the Abacus: Candace Attwood

Candace Attwood

 Many different places use some form of the abacus, including:        

Russia Egypt Rome Germany China Japan Greece United States

 Different kinds of abaci include     

Suan Pan (China) Soroban (Japan) Schoty (Russia) Nepohualtzitzin (Aztec civilisation) Among others

The word ‘abacus’ is said to have originated from either the Hebrew or Latin languages:  ‘abaq’ is Hebrew for ‘dust’ (as calculations were

performed in the dirt or with stones)  ‘abax’ is Latin for ‘table’ (derived from the Greek)

In the Asian countries, ‘soroban’ and ‘suan pan’ both mean ‘calculating board’.

*Watch Candace demonstrate using her homemade soroban

Easier for kids to learn more about:  Place value  Multiplication

 Division  Addition  Subtraction

 Different Cultures

Abacus is a means to represent numbers in a different manner. Kids can manipulate objects to make learning some concepts easier. Kids can learn how to do mental math easier (learn how to utilise ‘imaginary abacus’).

Awesome video showing a math class in Japan, and use of their ‘imaginary abacus’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiDomlEjJw

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Chen, C., Wu, T., Cheng, M., Huang, Y., Sheu, C., Hsieh, J., et al. (2006). Prospective demonstration of brain plasticity after intensive abacus-based mental calculation training: An fMRI study. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A, 569(2), 567-571.

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TJM-4KY8785C&_user=2665553&_coverDate=12%2F20%2F2006&_rdoc=92&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=docinfo(%23toc%235314%232006%23994309997%23638329%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5314&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=110&_acct=C00 0058484&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2665553&md5=e66f2cab7e75bb0c8cc4d1d7c7491350

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Krampner, J. (1993). Ancient abacus: Elegant, accurate, fun to operate. DollarSense, 10.

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http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=8&hid=15&sid=5b257588-6dad-4f37-8a6494167df57c5b%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=9403117506

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Chen, F., Hu, Z., Zhao, X., Wang, R., Yang, Z., Wang, X., et al. (2006). Neural correlates of serial abacus mental calculation in children: A functional MRI study. Neuroscience Letters, 403(1/2), 46-51.

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=PublicationURL&_tockey=%23TOC%234862%232006%23995969998%23626902%23FLA%23&_cdi=486 2&_pubType=J&_auth=y&_acct=C000058484&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2665553&md5=c6162b5319193a8c9ab0a89420d2be68

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Irwing, P., Hamza, A., Khaleefa, O., & Lynn, R. (2008). Effects of Abacus training on the intelligence of Sudanese children. Personality & Individual Differences, 45(7), 694-696.

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleListURL&_method=list&_ArticleListID=1334792426&_sort=v&_st=17&view=c&_acct=C00005848 4&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2665553&md5=b4a1685a5c01934f9b657f2c696266fb

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Naylor, M., & Naylor, P. (2001). Building and Using the Amazing Abacus. (cover story). Teaching Children Mathematics, 8(4), 202.

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http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=14&sid=92688b19-d6ff-4b9d-94e537773683ee20%40sessionmgr14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=tfh&AN=5569296 http://www.tertisco-alexandru.com/images/abacus-parts.gif http://www.cut-the-knot.org/blue/Abacus.shtml

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