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The concept of "mental arithmetic" appeared relatively recently. We understand that the excitement around this concept is created for the purpose of advertising.

But in order to find out whether it is so good, or is it just another publicity stunt, you need to study the information about it.

Methods of counting in mental arithmetic only seem new. If you look into history, you can see that the technique has been used for a long time. It is mentioned in the book "Eastern Khan Dynasty" in 190 AD.

This technique appeared more than 2000 years ago in Asia. Its distinctive feature was the account with the help of abacus accounts. This invention in China led to the development of a fast counting technique.

What is an abacus

Abacus (Abacus) - a word of Latin origin, from the Greek abax, which means table.

This is a type of wooden abacus. Even outwardly, it looks like an ordinary abacus. All the same quadrilateral, the same vertical spokes, only, unlike the usual ones, it also has a long horizontal partition.

The history of the abacus

According to scientists, the emergence of the first counting instrument dates back to the third millennium BC. Presumably they originated in Mesopotamia. Ancient Rome saw abacus closer to the fifth century BC.

In the Museum of Athens you can see the famous marble slab 75 cm wide and 149 cm wide. Several lines drawn indicate that you have a real abacus in front of you. Found by archaeologists later, abacus have little change in appearance.

The recesses made replaced the lines where the counting stones were placed. They became the prototype of the bones. Today, the abacus is an achievement not only of Chinese, but also of world culture.

Soroban modern abacus

The Japanese creatively approached the abacus and modified them a little. They removed one pebble and called it “soroban” in a different way, which in Japanese sounded like “computing board”.

The abacus quickly gained popularity as trade flourished in Japan. This has led to a high need for acquiring mathematical skills.

Soroban is considered a modern abacus. The only difference of soroban is the ratio of beads, it is different - 1/4.

In modern times, any interested person can buy an abacus-soroban. They are made from different materials, different sizes and colors. The main parts of the sorobanes are:

• frame;
• transverse bow;
• knitting needles that pass through the crossbar;
• knuckles that are put on knitting needles.

Looking at the abacus, you will notice that on any rod there are five bones. One rod is above the crossbar, and four are below it. The top needle points to the first line.

Any bone found there represents the number "5". Below are the rows, which include 4 rounds. Each of them represents the number "1". Thus, the count goes from one to a million.

The presence of needles in the soroban varies. Suppose a seventeen-bit soroban had 17 spokes, and a thirteen-bit one had 13, and so on.

It is important to note that in the 17-bit abacus, the needle on which the ones were located was in the center, and in the 13-bit abacus it had ones on the rod, which was on the right side. On the left side you will see a bar of tens, then hundreds, then thousands, and so on.

Instructions for using abacus accounts

It is very important how you move your fingers. Therefore, when working on the abacus, it is necessary to focus only on the thumb and forefinger.

So, let's start learning the accounts.

Pay attention to the position of the accounts.

The abacus abacus must be rotated so that at the top you have a row with beads with the smallest number, i.e. one or two.

At the bottom you see the rows with the most beads. Remember that before starting any mathematical operations, the location of all the beads is predetermined: in the upper rows they are raised up, and in the lower rows they are down.

Remember that the beads in the top rows carry the value 5 and the beads in the bottom rows carry the number 1.

You must assign a numeric value.

This means that each column of beads must have a rank that will determine the number.

For example, the last column on the right side of the scores can be assigned the units place (1-9), the next row - tens (10-99), the next - hundreds (100-999), and so on. If you will be making calculations with decimal numbers, you can assign a decimal place.


For example, you need to dial the number 11 234, 56. Then when you dial the number 6, the first column will be used, 5 - the second, 4 - the third, etc. Most importantly, do not forget to follow and mark the desired position on the accounts.

Try entering the correct number.

For example, to dial "three", you need to move three beads from the bottom row of the last column on the right side up.

If "four", then move four beads in the same way. If you need to dial "five", then you need to replace 4 with 5. In this case, you need to move one bead of the top row down, and in the bottom row - all four also down. This will mean "five" on the abacus.

Let's practice. You need the number seven. One bead at the bottom of the top row and two beads at the top of the bottom row would represent "seven".

To make the number "nine", you need to move one bead of the top row down, and all four beads of the bottom row - up. And you probably already guessed how to make the number "ten".

That's right, you need to raise one bead from the top row, and lower it from the bottom. By following this principle, any number can be formed.

When you change the rank, be careful!

Pay attention to the bottom row, it must be lowered down. Otherwise, the wrong number will be shown on the board.

Because with simple arithmetic calculations it is easy to follow, but with complex ones it is more difficult. Training needed!

Examples of actions on the abacus

Simple addition and subtraction

Let's add the numbers first. Unlike the traditional account, where we add from right to left, on the accounts we do the opposite, from left to right. For example, you need to add 22 and 41.

We type the number 22 on the abacus. Now we add four more to two tens or add four more beads to two beads. There were six tens.

So we added tenths. We do the same with units. We add one to two ones, it turned out three, or we add one bead to two beads. As a result, we got 63.

Now let's start subtracting. It must be mastered after addition is mastered. Counting back is the basis of subtraction. To perform a subtraction, you need to take the number from the column, and not transfer.

For example, you need to subtract 755 from 821. First, we type the number 821 on the accounts (in the column, where hundreds - one bead down at the top, three beads up at the bottom, where tens - one bead up at the top, two beads up in the top position, where units - at the top one bead up, one bead up in the top position).

Now let's start subtracting. 8-7=1, you need to leave one bead, where there are hundreds. Further, you cannot subtract 5 from 2. Here you need to take 1 out of a hundred and leave 0 there, now subtract 5 from 12, it turns out 7 (the top bead is at the top and the 2 bottom beads are at the top).

Now let's move on to units. Since 5 cannot be subtracted from 1, we take a bead from tens, we get 5 from 11. The answer is 6, which means six units. Thus, 821 - 755 = 66. This is how, gradually, you will learn how to perform mathematical calculations on the abacus.

How to use your fingers

When studying on an abacus, it is very important to learn how to move your fingers correctly while studying. The abacus must be put on the table, i.e. horizontally.

We hold them with the fingers of the right hand: thumb, ring finger and little finger. Actions are performed with the index and middle fingers. After repeated repetitions, the fingers will move automatically, but without training, this skill is quickly lost.

In the right fist, grab the pencil with your fingers so that the tip looks down. We need it to record the results. We leave the thumb and forefinger free, they are needed for counting.

In mental mathematics, there are various methods for teaching counting techniques. But all of them are aimed at using the abacus at the initial stage of learning, then the score is transferred to an imaginary abacus, which is in the students' head. Hence the name - mental.

When to start learning mental math

The technique is designed for teaching quick counting to children of younger and older preschool age. Classes can be started at 4 years old. The main condition is to count to 10.

The age range of children is from 4 to 16 years. It is during this period that brain cells are formed and neural connections are built that help to master mental counting. To consolidate the skills, 15 minutes of daily lessons at home are needed.

Mental arithmetic at home for a child

In principle, it is possible to teach a child mental arithmetic at home. The main thing is to observe the stages of progress from simple tasks to more difficult ones.

First, an adult needs to master the intricacies of this technique. He must thoroughly study all the material and go through the stage of consolidation with the help of a self-instruction manual.

Discuss the video you watched about this technique, talk about how arithmetic operations work with numbers, stimulate him to complete the task.

If the initial stage is passed, then after fixing the basic skills, it is necessary to move to a higher level.

Skills brought to automatism allow you to move on to the next stage. Subtraction can be started when the baby will confidently cope with examples of adding numbers.

Lesson duration does not exceed 30 minutes. The structure of the lesson should include exercises in which the child counts using his fingers. Observe the principle of gradualness, i.e. until he learns to work on the accounts, you can not proceed to the addition of numerical values.

Here are examples from tutorials to help you. First, you decide these examples yourself, then offer your child.

To make it easier for the child to master the account, print out the calculation schemes for him, give him the opportunity to use them at the beginning of training. When the child learns the principles of counting, he will not need prompts.

In order for the classes to benefit your child, you need to go to a consultation with a psychologist and take a trial training in a free lesson.

Development centers usually practice this form of training. So you decide on the need for mental arithmetic classes and identify the capabilities of your child.

How is mental math taught?

If we talk about the full training program, then it can last 2-3 years. Usually it is divided into several levels:

• Children get acquainted with the abacus, then get counting skills on it. In the first lessons, it is necessary to give the child the opportunity to get acquainted with the abacus, to touch it. The game form of classes helps the child to easily master the tasks. Strengthening the skills of the first stage is the key to successful learning in the future.
• Children learn to visualize the abacus in their minds and to count with their fingers without the use of an abacus. Everything that the baby did with his fingers on the abacus, he begins to imagine and do mentally, with the help of imagination. When calculating, he even moves his fingers in the air. So he counts on an imaginary abacus. At this level, children do simple math operations with three-digit numbers. Then comes the development of complex arithmetic operations - multiplication and division.
• The highest level is visualization, i.e. the ability to quickly solve arithmetic examples mentally using multi-digit numbers.

It has been observed that progress in mental arithmetic in children is visible after 2-3 months. This happens if the child attends classes every week and does homework. It is possible to say that he mastered the technique only after two years.

Mental arithmetic pros and cons

As with any process, there are positives and negatives. Let's look at the positive aspects of the teaching method in question:

1. Mental operations and fine motor skills develop. Finger muscles are trained - speech is stimulated.
2. The speed of mental actions develops. This helps the child quickly learn any material at school.
3. All kinds of memory develop. The child remembers better and more, quickly puts into practice the acquired knowledge and skills.
4. The quality characteristics of attention are improved. The ability to concentrate on mental arithmetic classes develops a practical approach to other activities, to the conscious completion of homework.
5. Increased interest in learning activities. Due to an extraordinary approach to calculations, the student successfully completes tasks. Increased motivation to study, the level of independence and self-esteem.

What are the disadvantages of learning mental arithmetic? Perhaps a few things:

1. When a baby has success in mastering a quick count, he begins to rush and often makes mistakes. To prevent this, you need to train more. After numerous trainings, there are no mistakes.
2. In the pursuit of success, there is a danger of overloading with excessive mental arithmetic, which can lead to overwork of the child. Here it is necessary to adhere to the correct regime of the day, to alternate classes with rest. Otherwise, due to poor health, the child will lose interest in the lessons.

Opinion and feedback from parents about mental arithmetic

Regarding the need for mental arithmetic for children, the opinions of parents were divided. Many people think that there is nothing special in this technique. This is a simple money grab. They say that the method is divorced from real life.

After all, there are calculators! Why suffer and do calculations in such an ancient way? Others notice the solitary type of work, and the modern world requires the ability to work in a team.

But there are some parents who have the opposite opinion. They are sure that such training develops all mental processes in a child, the ability to think outside the box, and increases self-confidence. All these skills will be useful in any field, help build a career, improve the quality of life.

Arithmetic with Soroban (abacus) accounts is an effective method, you have seen it.

Why not give the child the opportunity to develop their creative and intellectual abilities. Give your children a chance to grow up to be smart and successful people.

A popular method of teaching and developing children came to us from Asia - teachers in Japan and China have been practicing mental arithmetic for a long time. Experts are convinced that classes on the abacus (accounts) will help young students develop talents and improve school performance. Want to know if your child needs mental arithmetic? Then this article is for you!

Mental arithmetic - what is it?

Many parents ask what mental arithmetic is for and what it is. Mental arithmetic is a unique method of versatile development of a child based on mental counting. The ability to count in the mind is an effective mechanism for achieving high results, but not the main goal of classes. The task of this technique is to fully develop the child, to promote the active manifestation of his abilities and talents.

The Japanese method of mental arithmetic has been around for over 2,000 years. Currently, it is very popular not only in Asia, but throughout the world. Classes according to this method contribute to the development of both hemispheres of the brain in children, that is, to fully reveal its intellectual potential.

During training, the child uses both hands at the same time. He calculates on the abacus (ancient Japanese abacus) with both hands, while stimulating the work of both hemispheres. In parallel with this, children solve arithmetic examples, imagining the scores in their imagination. Thus, the right hemisphere, responsible for images, and the left, responsible for logic, work.

Why do children need mental arithmetic?

Why do we need mental arithmetic? The fact is that the program of modern school education focuses on the exact sciences: mathematics, physics, chemistry, forgetting about the development of the child's creative abilities. Drawing or music lessons fade into the background, a small student quickly gets tired of boring subjects, starts to be lazy and does not show any interest in new knowledge. The right hemisphere of the brain, which is responsible for the creative vein of the child, lags behind its neighbor on the left, thereby overloading the left hemisphere. Academic performance decreases, reaction and attention slow down, problems begin with the assimilation of new material. Mental arithmetic allows you to harmonize the work of both hemispheres and improve skills. During class:

• memory and thinking develop;
• there is initiative and independence;
• leadership qualities are brought up;
• creative potential opens up;
• increases self-confidence;
• observation and analysis skills are improved;
• develops imagination and creativity;
• concentration improves.

The child learns to think creatively, to find creative solutions to common problems, and does not give in to stereotypes. A successful result is achieved through blended learning: exercises on the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Children are taught to count on an abacus, young students do mental calculations, developing logic and thinking. Teachers dilute complex tasks with creative ones, pay attention to ingenuity and imagination, fueling children's interest in classes.

Is there a conflict between learning to count at school and mental mathematics?

This begs the question, if the abacus score is not the same as at school, and other memorization techniques are used, will there be a problem in mastering the school material?

There are two opinions and, accordingly, two answers to this question. So, counting teachers say that there will be no problems, since the children's brain is much more flexible and is able to process and filter a lot of information. In addition, the development of the two hemispheres of the brain will contribute to better memorization of school material.

And there is also the opinion of parents who say that at first the child may get confused with the calculation methods at school and in the lessons of mental arithmetic. But children quickly adapt and adjust and subsequently have no problems with this.

But if parents are worried that the baby will not cope with the load at school and in the courses, it is recommended to try to study during the summer holidays. But the best option is if the baby started his classes before school.

How to quickly wait for the first results?

The SMARTUM Child Development Academy employs professionals in their field - experienced teachers who are well versed in child psychology and know how to find the right approach to each student. Based on this, not one child is left without attention.

Considering the main advantages of thoughtful lessons, each parent and future student can get acquainted with the learning outcomes:

• The first lesson is marked by the fact that children are introduced to the specifics of working with abacus accounts.
• Children from the age of 5, after the first month of active learning, will be able to count and solve given examples in their minds.
• Children aged 7 years and over, after the first month of training, can calculate mentally faster than the average adult.
• Children from the age of 7 years, after two months of training according to a given program, can do two things at the same time - recite any verse from memory and at the same time solve a given example in their mind.

Do young children need mental arithmetic?

Many moms and dads wonder why young children need mental arithmetic. We answer: classes on the abacus will be very useful for the development of children 5-6 years old. Kids already know how to count up to 10, and it's time to start active development of both hemispheres of the child's brain. At this stage, there is no need for just playing activities - the child is ready to absorb new knowledge like a sponge, so it is important to skillfully choose the right form of presenting the material. In Smartum, all students are divided into age groups, and teaching is carried out taking into account the psychological characteristics of children.

Academy "Smartum" invites young geniuses from 5 to 16 years old to the lessons of mental arithmetic. Systematic group classes with a teacher, as well as independent homework will help develop the student's logical thinking, improve his performance in all subjects. Positive results will lay the first foundation for the successful future of your child, give a strong impetus to development and self-realization in adulthood. Experienced specialists are ready to reveal children's potential, taking into account the individual age and psychological characteristics of each little student. Take advantage of a free trial lesson - teachers and psychologists will answer all additional questions.

Greetings, my dears! Today we will talk with you about the now popular direction in the development of the child - mental arithmetic. What does it really teach and what will your children achieve with regular classes?

The fact is that initially I was going to prepare for you the usual review article about this system of mental counting. However, I encountered a lot of conflicting reviews from parents and specialists about mental arithmetic.

As a result, I began to dig deeper in order to prepare the most objective and useful material for you. Moreover, today many parents are fascinated by this technique and spend a lot of money on their child's classes. And the result, alas, is not always happy ...

Mental arithmetic is a technique for teaching fast (almost instantaneous!) Counting. It is suitable for the development of children 4 - 14 years old. The program is based on a system of arithmetic operations using special Chinese and Japanese abacus and soroban.

In fact, its roots are in ancient China. After all, it is there that children learn to count using this method in the primary grades. And since the Chinese often take first place in international mathematics Olympiads, a completely logical question arises: is the system really magical?

Mental arithmetic was invented in Turkey. The innovative method of mental counting is designed to give an understanding of the spatiality and composition of the number. It is an excellent base for further study of mathematics.

With the help of mental arithmetic, it is easier for children (especially preschoolers) to get to know and remember numbers. But: this technique will not make geniuses out of your children, no matter how much you do it! If you are interested to know why, read the entire article.

Pros and cons of mental arithmetic for a child

In any technique there are both pluses and minuses. Mental arithmetic is no exception. Let's try to figure out whether the cost of these classes and the benefits for the child are justified.

Advantages of mental arithmetic:

• Prepares the child for the development of mathematics.
• Gives a comprehensive understanding of numbers.
• Teaches you how to count quickly (to automatism).

Cons of mental arithmetic:

• Unjustified cost of employment.
• DOES NOT develop the two hemispheres of the brain, as advertised. The counting speed does not affect this process in any way! It is possible to reliably check the work of both hemispheres of the brain in any person only with the help of the Stroop test.
• DOES NOT improve memory and attention.
• Does NOT make your kids more confident.

Video tutorials on mastering mental arithmetic at home

If you are still interested in trying to master mental arithmetic, you can learn the basics from these video tutorials. I think this is quite enough for you to understand whether you need this mental counting system in your life or not. In any case, you will gain new knowledge!

While most of us sacrifice mental numeracy, some people develop it with particular zeal through mental arithmetic. They are like geniuses, because they perform calculations with multi-digit numbers faster than a calculator. We understand what kind of methodology it is, how the training takes place and who can practice it.

About the methodology

Mental arithmetic is one of the methods of mental counting without auxiliary tools that involves the imagination.

The technique seems new, as it has received wide popularity relatively recently. In fact, the technique is ancient, its use is associated with the invention of the Xuanpan abacus in China, which was first mentioned in the book "Eastern Han Dynasty" in 190 AD.

Mental arithmetic means learning to calculate first with the help of wooden abacus, abacus, and gradually moving to performing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in the mind. The peculiarity of the methodology is that children do not perform abstract calculations, they work with numbers through visualization and imagination. The technique allows you to learn high-speed counting, which is practically unattainable using classical school methods.

Despite the widespread use of calculators, abacus classes are still practiced in Asian countries. Calculations on the soroban, the Japanese version of the abacus, are taught in elementary grades and private schools in Japan. With its help, children are taught the system of decimal numbers and counting not in the abstract, but with the help of visualization. Along the way, teachers give children song instructions that affect auditory perception.

Once children are confident in using the soroban, they are taught to perform mental calculations using an imaginary counting board. This is one of the reasons why Japanese parents send their children to private teachers who teach this technique.

What is an abacus?

The soroban, the Japanese version of the abacus, is used in classes for children. The name "abacus" is used as a generalized for all types of accounts: from Chinese to Russian.

Abacus for practicing mental arithmetic is a rectangle divided by thirteen vertical spokes vertically, and one horizontal line. There are 5 bones on each needle: 1 above the horizontal partition and 4 below it.

How is the training going?

The full training program lasts from two to three years and is divided into several stages. While studying, children feel progress, because after mastering new skills they move to a higher level.

The next step is the representation of the abacus in the mind. You could see how the children count, making incomprehensible actions with their hands in the air. In this way, they move imaginary bones on imaginary abacuses.

Participants demonstrate the highest level of skill competitions in mental arithmetic, which solve examples with multi-digit numbers in a few seconds.

Who can learn?

Mental arithmetic programs are usually designed for children from 4 to 16 years old. True, the reviews of parents suggest that it is better to start a little later, the optimal age is 6-12 years. Although mental calculations can be useful for adults and to a greater extent for older people.

A child going to class must be able to count to 10.

You also need to consider that you will have to study not only in the classroom, but also at home for at least 15 minutes daily.

If you are interested in mental arithmetic courses for children, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the programs on TeachMePlease and choose the one that suits you in terms of location, price and conditions for conducting classes.

Today, mental arithmetic classes are gaining popularity. Courses, schools and small development centers are being opened where they teach mental mathematics. Perhaps you watched videos on the net where children count faster than a calculator or from your friends, the child goes to these courses and has already begun to show good results in adding and subtracting two-digit numbers. And you have a few questions: What is it and why is it needed and how does it affect the development of the child. And also, how to learn mental arithmetic? Below we will consider all these issues and analyze in detail the examples of the account and what additional materials we will need for this. Let's watch free video tutorials on mental arithmetic.

Mental arithmetic is the process of learning how to quickly count in your mind. The ancestor of this method was the Turk Shenom. The whole method is based on the application of the account invented in China about five thousand years ago. Such accounts are called - abacus. Perhaps someone might think that it was necessary to call this method abacus arithmetic or something else, using the name abacus, but abacus is just a tool that makes it easier to solve arithmetic problems. The whole essence of the method is counting in the mind. The word mental comes from lat. mentalis - mental, rational. When counting using this method, mentally represent these scores, move the beads in the correct order and count the desired example.

In 1993, this educational program first began work in Asia. At the moment, more than 5,000 training centers are engaged in this technique around the world. Most of all, this program is developing in such countries as the USA, Canada, Austria, Thailand, China and Australia.

Many similar schools and courses for teaching mental arithmetic are now opening in Russia. The cost of classes is from 500 rubles for one lesson or from 4000 rubles for a subscription. Not everyone can afford such amounts and many want to learn this method on their own and further educate their child.

Mental arithmetic at first glance may seem like a difficult way to solve examples. But if you have a little patience and read the article to the end and solve all the examples. This method will not be as difficult as it was before reading this article.

What is needed for learning

The first thing we need to learn mental arithmetic is the abacus or soroban abacus. Unlike the standard account of the Soviet era, these accounts are half as wide in width. They have only five beads on the horizontal lines, and ours have ten. And one column with one bead in each row, separated from the rest of the vertical partition, this is if you hold the abacus vertically, as we would hold our regular abacus. The abacus is usually held in a horizontal position and there is a row with one bead at the top, and columns with 4 beads each at the bottom.

You can buy them here buy abacus ), there they are not expensive, many people buy and leave good reviews. You can search in the shops of your city, but they will already be more expensive, and it will take more time to search.

You can make an abacus with your own hands from an old account. Disassemble the abacus, remove 5 beads from each row. Separate one bead with a vertical partition, in each row, and the abacus is ready. To make them look more like Chinese ones, you can shorten the knitting needles on which the beads and horizontal guides are held from the top and bottom.

If you don’t have old scores and don’t want to invent something, or while you are waiting for your new scores to arrive, you should use online simulators for training and teaching counting. Type "soroban" in Google Play, there are many of these games. This article uses screenshots from the Simple Soroban app. A very handy app for learning.

With the accounts decided, you need to move on to training.

Fundamentals of mental arithmetic

You already know what the abacus abacus looks like and what it consists of. Now we need to figure out how to type numbers.

We have a soroban as in the figure above. We have columns in front of us, a standard soroban has 13 columns. We will use an abacus with nine columns (the same as in the Simple Soroban application). Starting from the far right column, there are units in this column. That is, here you can make a number from 0 to 9. The next column is tens, here are numbers from 10 to 90. In the subsequent ones, respectively, hundreds, thousands, etc. One bead is placed on top of the soroban, in accordance with its column they denote a multiple of five, i.e. in the first column it is 5, in the second 50, in the third 500, and so on. To show us the number five, you need to lower the top bead down, it will be five. In the initial position, when the top beads are at the top, and the bottom ones are at the bottom, this is zero. To make it clearer, let's look at a few numbers:

• To make the number 7, you need to lower the top bead in the first column, it will be 5 and raise two beads from the bottom, i.e. We added 2 to 5 and got 7.
• The number 9 is the lowered top bead and 4 lower beads raised up to the dividing bar.

As soon as we learned how to quickly dial units, we move on to two-digit numbers, i.e. to tens.

We dial the number 73, for this we lower the top bead from the second column, it turned out 50, we raise two more lower beads from the same column with tens, it turned out 70. In the first column we raise the three lower beads, and as a result we get 73.

Practice a few times and everything will be clear, then go to hundreds and so on.

All movements of the beads must be done with certain hands and not change the sequence. In the column of units, we do everything with the right hand, while raising the beads with the thumb, and lowering with the index finger. For example, when we want to make the number 5, we need to lower the top bead with the index finger of our right hand. If you need to make the number 2, you need to pick up two beads from the first column with the thumb of your right hand. Remember the rule up is the thumb, down is the index finger. In the column with tens, everything is the same only with the left hand. If you watched the video as the children think, you could notice how they twist their fingers. This is how they imagine how they move the beads on the abacus and thereby make a count in their head on an imaginary soroban.

Since the whole essence of the method is to ensure that all calculations occur in the mind and without any auxiliary tools, you need to learn how to memorize numbers and combinations of beads. To do this, we need auxiliary cards that we can make ourselves. On one side we write a number, and on the other its graphic designation in the form of a fragment of an account. An example is in the photo below.

After we learned how to use cards and quickly name the numbers located on them, we move on to simple arithmetic calculations, the first thing we will analyze is addition.

Addition

The first arithmetic operation we'll look at is addition. This is the simplest action performed on the soroban. Let's take as an example: 13+23
We lay out the number 13: in the first column we raise the three lower beads, in the second we get one lower one 13.

To add 23 in the first column, with units, you need to add three beads, since only one bead remains unused at the bottom, you need to omit the bead from the top of the soroban, so we add 5, after that we omit two beads from the bottom and it turns out column with units number 6.

To consolidate the material and better understanding, consider a more complex example: 17 + 14.

First, we will compose the number 17, we will not describe how we compose it, we will simply write the result for verification, and in order to coordinate our actions. What happened look at the photo.

Next, we proceed to addition, add 4, since 7 + 4 \u003d 11, then we raise one lower bead in the first column and immediately go to tens and there we raise one lower bead, which was obtained by adding units, then we add 10, which remains from the original number 14, for this we also raise one bead from the bottom. Total 17+14=31

Video lesson: Addition

Subtraction

Let's move on to the next step, subtraction. For example, take 83-56.

We put the number 83 on the soroban, which turned out to be verified by the photo.

When subtracting, all actions must be performed in the reverse order and you need to start with a dozen. We need to remove 5 beads from dozens, for this we raise the top bead. 6 must be subtracted from the units, since we only have 3 units, we take a ten from the second column, i.e. we omit one bead. In units, you need to subtract 6 from 13, it turns out 7, we set this figure on the soroban. As a result 83-56=27

Video lesson: Subtraction

Multiplication

The next action is multiplication, here you already need to strain your convolutions a little more. For example, let's multiply two two-digit numbers: 13 * 22

First, we multiply the tens of both numbers 10 * 20 = 200, set 200 on the abacus:

Then the units of the first number with tens of the second 3*20=60:

The last action, we multiply the units of both numbers 3*2=6:

The result is 286

Video lesson: multiplication

Division

The next action is division. For example, let's divide 62 by 2. To do this, we divide the soroban by sex or, for example, into two parts relative to the point on the soroban. On the right, we set the number to be divided, and on the left we leave room for the answer, if the number is two-digit, then we leave a maximum of 2 columns for the answer, if it is three-digit, then three, etc. And so we need 62/2, put the number 62 on the right We will write the answer on the left side, I propose to write it starting from the far left column, so that if you come across a number that, when divided, will have a remainder, then there will be free columns to record the remainder. The number was set, first we divide the number 6 because it is a multiple of two and gives the full number without a remainder and it will be 3, we type three in the far left column. And on the right side we subtract 6 from the column with tens, 2 remains. Divide 2 by 2, it turns out 1, we type it in the second column, from the left edge. As a result, we got the answer 31.

Video lesson: Division

This method of division is the same as shown in the video above, but if you follow the recommendations in this article, use the Simple Soroban app (this app is free) from the Google Play store to learn. It is more convenient to write the number that needs to be divided from the left, and the answer from the right. Thus, you will not get confused and will quickly solve tests from this application. An example of how to count tests in the Simple Soroban application:

We have considered all the arithmetic operations that can be calculated using the abacus account. It seems that there is nothing complicated, you just need to train often and you will learn mental arithmetic at home, just as if you attended courses of the same name for money.