Abacus and mathematical calculating method

Abstract

The invention is directed to an improved abacus and related calculating method. The improved abacus and method are adapted to perform mathematical operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and factoring. Additional mathematical operations are performable using described techniques. The improved abacus has a frame divided into an upper and lower section by a horizontal bar. The abacus includes a plurality of rods in which each rod contains four movable beads on the upper section of each rod and one movable bead on the lower section of each rod. The beads in the upper section have a value of two and the bead in the lower section has a value of one. Beads moved toward the bar are counted while those beads away from the bar are not counted. The improved abacus also includes a unit indicator, mathematical operational signs and positive and negative sliding indicators signs on the frame.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.