Where can I learn the usage of abacus? Multiplication, decimal point, quick calculation and so on.

There are many kinds of calculation tools used in human history, and the slide rule is one of the most widely used and important calculation tools. As early as the beginning of17th century, computing tools developed rapidly in western countries. First of all, J.Napier, a world-famous British mathematician, first created the concept of logarithm and introduced a new numerical operation tool in his book, which was later called "Napier slide rule". This calculation tool consists of ten long wooden sticks with numbers similar to multiplication tables engraved on their surfaces. Napier used it to help with multiplication and division, which greatly simplified the numerical operation. However, Napier's greatest contribution in the field of mathematics is his concept of logarithm published in 16 14. The concept of logarithm initiated by him has influenced a generation of mathematicians and greatly promoted the development of mathematics. The basic principle of slide rule is the application of logarithmic principle, so Napier's invention laid the foundation for the development of slide rule in the future. Shortly after Napier invented the logarithmic concept, E. Gunter and W. Oughtred successively created the logarithmic scale and the original logarithmic slide rule.

The development of slide rule is progressing with science and technology, production needs and technical level. It has been invented for more than 300 years. Through the continuous efforts of countless mathematicians and various professional and technical personnel, especially from the early 20th century to the 1970s, the slide rule product has become the most advanced, exquisite, diverse and widely used computing tool in the development history of computing tools.

abacus

Abacus is a calculation tool, which was widely used before Arabic numerals appeared. Many old businessmen in China and Russia still use it now.

The existing abacus has different shapes and materials. Generally, abacus is mostly made of wood (or plastic products). An equal number of abacus beads are arranged in a rectangular wooden frame, and a crosspiece divides the abacus system into an upper part and a lower part, with two beads (one for bookkeeping) and one for five; Here are five beads (four for accountants), one for each bead. Abacus is called abacus, and abacus has corresponding rules for four operations, which are collectively called abacus rules. Compared with general operation, skilled abacus calculation is not inferior to counting machine, especially in addition and subtraction.

use

Using abacus formula to control abacus calculation process.

origin

China is the hometown of abacus. Today, computers have been widely used. The ancient abacus has not been abandoned, but it is in the ascendant in many countries because of its convenience and accuracy. Therefore, people often compare the invention of the abacus with four great inventions of ancient china, and think that the abacus is also a great contribution of the Chinese nation to mankind. However, when did China start to have an abacus? Since the Qing dynasty, many mathematicians have studied this problem, and Japanese scholars have also invested a lot of energy. Due to the lack of sufficient evidence, the origin of abacus is still controversial. To sum up, there are three main theories.

First, it was advocated by Mei, a mathematician in the Qing Dynasty during the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The basis is that Xu Yue, a mathematician in the Eastern Han Dynasty, wrote a book "Numerology Legacy", which recorded 14 algorithms, and the thirteenth algorithm was called "abacus calculation", and said: "abacus calculation, control of four seasons, latitude and longitude three talents." Later, Zhen Luan, a mathematician in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, commented on this passage: "Stereotyped writing is divided into three points, the upper and lower points are the pearl of stopping traveling, and the middle point is positioning. There are five beads in each position, and the upper bead is different from the lower four beads. There are five beads of different colors on the top and one on the bottom. To the next four beads, so the cloud' controls the four seasons'. Its beads swim between the three parties, so the cloud' latitude and longitude three talents' is also. " These characters are considered to be the earliest records of abacus calculation. However, some scholars believe that the abacus described in this book is at best a counting tool or a simple calculation board that can only be added and subtracted, which is different from the abacus that appeared later.

Second, the Yuan and Ming Dynasties advocated by Qing Dynasty scholar Qian Dating, that is, abacus appeared in the middle of the Yuan Dynasty and was widely used in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. In the Yuan Dynasty, Tao's Record of Dropping Out of Farming in the South Village, Volume 29, Well Beads, quoted a proverb at that time to describe slaves, saying, "Anyone who takes a servant beats his pearls when he first comes, and does not speak automatically; Say abacus beads for a while, and move as soon as you say it; For a long time, the Buddha's top bead, the word all day long, although it can't be moved. " Later generations called this "three-bead drama language."

Comparing a veteran handmaiden to an abacus bead can be stirred, which shows that abacus was very popular at that time. In Liu Yin's Collected Works of Mr. Mu Jing at the end of Song Dynasty and the beginning of Yuan Dynasty, there is a five-character quatrain entitled Abacus: "Don't stop singing the song of bread unless you dance with Weng Shang. How difficult is it to raise funds? " This is also clear evidence that abacus appeared in the Yuan Dynasty.

As for the Ming Dynasty, Luban Mu Jing, compiled during Yongle period, had specifications and dimensions for making abacus, and there were also some books introducing the usage of abacus, such as Zhu Zhu Algorithm by Xu Xinlu and Tong Zong by Cheng Dawei, so abacus was widely used in the Ming Dynasty, which is beyond doubt.

With the discovery of new historical materials, the third theory of abacus originated in Tang Dynasty and was popular in Song Dynasty. The basis is as follows: First, in the famous painting The Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival in Song Dynasty, there was a drugstore with an abacus on the counter. After enlarging the picture, the abacus experts in China and Japan confirmed that the object in the painting is a renju abacus similar to the abacus used in modern times. 2. 192 1 A wooden abacus bead was unearthed in Julu County, Hebei Province. Submerged by water and soil for 800 years, it is still drum-shaped with holes in the middle, which is no different from modern abacus beads. Third, Liu Yin was born in the late Song Dynasty and early Yuan Dynasty. His abacus poems are more accurate than describing things in the Yuan Dynasty. Similarly, Tao's "Three Beads Play" shows that there are abacus in Yuan people's proverbs, and it also reflects that "Fa prevailed in Song Dynasty" ("Algorithm unifies clans" in the Summary of Sikuquanshu). Fourthly, there are nine files of abacus figures in the textbooks of Mongolian studies in the early Yuan Dynasty. Since it was already a training content in the early Yuan Dynasty, it can be seen that it is an ordinary thing, and its appearance can at least be pushed to the Song Dynasty. In addition, the abacus in Song Dynasty was mature, and it was not as clumsy or rough as new things. Therefore, many mathematicians believe that the birth of abacus can be pushed to the Tang Dynasty. Due to the constant wars in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms before the Song Dynasty, the development of science, technology and culture was relatively slow, so it was unlikely that abacus was born at this time.

The Tang Dynasty was a prosperous time in China's history, with developed economy and culture, and needed new calculation tools. At this time, the abacus was invented, which is very likely.

Abacus is a valuable cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, but its origin has been debated for hundreds of years and cannot be unified. I hope more people with lofty ideals will devote themselves to further exploration and research, and draw scientific conclusions as soon as possible to comfort the ancients. Be worthy of future generations.

sign

The abacus of "not losing by multiplication and division, not losing by a millimeter" is often used to symbolize careful calculation. In Beijing Dongyue Temple Express Department, there are two big abacus, 6 feet long and 2 feet high, with 29 squares and 203 abacus beads. This abacus means that immortals don't check people's merits and demerits.

References:

Basic knowledge of abacus