Instrument used for abacus

The primary instrument used in an abacus is, of course, the abacus itself. An abacus typically consists of a rectangular frame with multiple parallel rods or wires stretched across it horizontally. Each rod represents a place value (such as units, tens, hundreds, etc.), and beads are strung on these rods. The position of the beads on the rods helps in performing arithmetic calculations.

The beads on the abacus are manipulated by sliding them horizontally along the rods. By moving the beads according to specific rules and techniques, users can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and other arithmetic operations.

There are variations of abacuses used in different cultures, such as the soroban in Japan, the suanpan in China, and the schoty in Russia. While the design and materials may differ slightly among these variations, the basic principle remains the same—a frame with rods and beads for performing calculations.