The human mind is a valuable gift of creation. In fact, since  the ancient of days up to the present the inventiveness and creativity in the minds of people has bring in a lot of discoveries due to intuitions with respect to the need to survive.

        The invention of the abacus is a classic example of how numbers influenced the way we live today. Soon after language developed it is not surprising that the human race in recognition of the importance of counting has been able to live the times. It is inherent with man since we have the thumb and fingers on both hands, which bring about the authentic abacus. Ten has been the basis of the counting system in history. From there on, the decimal system was established.   

        In the earliest surviving traces of the counting system, numbers are built up with a repeated sign for each group of 10 followed by another repeated sign for 1.  Arithmetic is not easily developed until an efficient numerical system is in place. Hence, the late arrival in the history of mathematics, requiring both the idea of zero and the concept of place value has come into place.

         With the development of mathematical theories, concepts and processes, having the thumb and fingers on both our hands is by no means an accident. With the simple knowledge of the ladderized system in our formal education, school learners should be appreciative enough to value the generations of the past that bring the answers to our daily needs of today emanating from the wonders of nature’s abacus.

        With disciplined learning, the nature within the human mind still reigns over the use of the battery or solar powered calculators.

Reference:www.articles.lati mes.com/ keyword/abacus                                                                             

By: Jennifer D. Quiles | Teacher II | BNHS – SHS