Addition Abacus Secrets

Addition Abacus Secrets

· A secret will be in the form of 0-3, 5-8: move 1 bead up.

· 0-3, 5-8 means if the current digit on the abacus has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

· Each secret should be practiced so that you can perform the motion without thinking about it. Since you are training your fingers, use a real abacus. Using a miniature one will require re-training if you switch.

Ø Add 1

· This set of secrets is the most important because the others rely on it for carrying.

· 0-3, 5-8: move 1 bead up.

· 4: move a 5 bead down with 4 beads. In your practice this means that you should place your fingers so that you can move the 5 bead down while moving the other beads down at the same time - increasing your speed of calculation.

· 9: add 1 to next column and remove all beads. In your practice this means that you use this set of secrets while using two other fingers (thumb and pinkie worked for me) to remove beads.

Ø Add 2

· 0-2, 5-7: move 2 beads up.

· 3-4: move a 5 bead down with 3 beads.

· 8-9: add 1 to next column and move a 5 bead down with 3 beads. In your practice this means that you use the add 1 secrets while using two other fingers to remove a 5 bead and three 1 beads at the same time.

Ø Add 3

· 0-1, 5-6: move 3 beads up.

· 2-4: move a 5 bead down with 2 beads.

· 7-9: add 1 to next column and move a 5 bead down with 2 beads.

Ø Add 4

· 0, 5: move 4 beads up.

· 1-4: move a 5 bead down with 1 bead.

· 6-9: add 1 to next column and separate a 5 and 1 bead.

Ø Add 5

· 0-4: move a 5 bead down.

· 5-9: add 1 to next column and separate a 5 bead.

Ø Add 6

· 0-3: move a 5 and 1 bead together. In your practice, the beads should come together in one smooth motion.

· 4: add 1 to the next column and remove 4 beads. Remember, at the same time and smoothly.

· 5-8: add 1 to the next column and move a 5 and 1 bead up. Move them up together at the same time as adding 1 to the next column. If you can't do them together, practice the add 1 secrets more.

· 9: add 1 to next column and 4 beads down.

Ø Add 7

· 0-2: move a 5 and 2 beads together.

· 3-4: add 1 to the next column and remove 3 beads.

· 5-7: add 1 to the next column and move a 5 and 2 beads up.

· 8-9: add 1 to next column and 3 beads down.

Ø Add 8

· 0-1: move a 5 and 3 beads together.

· 2-4: add 1 to the next column and remove 2 beads.

· 5-6: add 1 to the next column and move a 5 and 3 beads up.

· 7-9: add 1 to next column and 2 beads down.

Ø Add 9

· 0: move a 5 and 4 beads together.

· 1-4: add 1 to the next column and remove 1 bead.

· 5: add 1 to the next column and move a 5 and 4 beads up.

· 6-9: add 1 to next column and 1 bead down.

Ø Practice

1. Pick a secret to practice.

a. Set your abacus up to the number 123456789.

b. Perform the secret from the right column to the left.

2. Pick a secret to practice.

a. Set you abacus up to the number 987654321.

b. Perform the secret from the right column to the left.

3. Pick a secret to practice.

a. Pick a number to practice.

b. Set every digit of your abacus to the number.

c. Perform the secret from the right column to the left column.

4. Pick a secret to practice.

a. Shake you abacus and then adjust beads to show a definite number.

b. Perform the secret for each column from the right to the left.

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