Posted 13 years ago
lifeisgood64
(2 items)
I found this solid wood item at an estate sale.The worker said she didn't know what it was. I've since been told by a teacher that it may be a flat abacus? The little side pieces snap up allowed by a metal rod that runs one end to the other. It has no identifying markings that I can see. It is about 5 1/2" long , 2 1/2" wide and 1/4" thick. Any ideas? Thanks, Jen
Hmm...I have never seen an abacus that wasn't made with beads..even the old ones.
An abacus in the sense that it lets you keep track of numbers. See if this works for you. The 1's and the 5's are all you need to know (1,10,100,1000 $5,50,500,and 5000). The 2,3,and 4 and their multiples are understood. The 6,7,8,and 9 will become evident.
Start with all numbers down. 1 = the first lever up. 2 = the first two levers up. 3 = the first 3; 4 = the first four; 5 = the first five up. Here is where it changes. 6=5 up, the # 4 down and 3,2,1 all up. 7=5 up 4&3 down, 2&1 up. 8=5 up 4,3,2 down and 1 up.9= 5 up 4,3,2,1,down. 10= 10 up everything else down. From there you can indicate any number to 9,999.