The Historical Development and the Educational Value of Zhusuan byToshio Nakano, Honorary Professor, Daito Bunka University
1. The Historical Development of Zhusuan (Abacus Mental Arithmetic) :-The calculation tool called zhusuan has a very long history. From around years 3,000 BC - 2,000 BC in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), it is said that lines were marked on sand and little rocks were used for calculation. Subsequently a calculation tool that is known as the "line zhusuan" was made in ancient Greek, and the Romans also made "groove zhusuan" which they used for calculation. It is said that these tools were introduced at China but there are many different theories on how calculation tools spread through the world. From around 770 BC - 476 BC, people in China used "suanchou" for calculation. And the oldest record of a calculation instrument similar to the zhusuan can be seen in a document dated 200AD. The Principles of Algorithm is the first bead calculation book in China, written by Wang Wensu, an expert in bead calculation during the Ming Dynasty. According to the document, the first zhusuan was introduced to Japan from China in sixteenth-century. While studying the tool for 400 years, Japan has improved and revolutionized the soroban (abacus) to what we use today. Zhusuan is practical and useful in solving mathematical problems and it is especially handy in teaching the concept of number to children in the lower grades
2. The Importance of Zhusuan Education :-Children around the world seem to have a tendency of disliking calculation. But the basics of life are built upon calculation. Children who dislike calculation may not necessary become failures in life, but they do tend to have difficulties. This might result as a delay in the development of the brain functions related to calculation.
2 a) Improvement of Mathematics :- By teaching zhusuan to children, especially at the age of 4- 9, they will improve their use of the four arithmetic rules by twice in speed once they have obtained this ability.