Abacus and the Abacist- How to use an Abacus

Most people, I hope, have seen a picture of an Abacus or (more likely) someone using it (an Abacist). It, the abacus, is a "counting frame" used in parts of Asia to calculate arithmetic quantities. Here I would like to stay within the confines of elementary arithmetics, for its the main use of the abacus and its uses in theory are beyond what I have read or know. Plus, I wanted more visual aid then text and picture so we are going to make use of videos.


First lets see what an Abacus is.....

                                             (Source represented by clicking picture)

Next this video will show you what an abacus is, the difference of the soroban, and a structural overview.






This next video will give you a little more historical background and it will get into how to read and use it.



This next video is simply a fun visualization of someone who has mastered the abacus.  (to anyone that has been in awe at a rubix cube master has certainly in need of seeing someone who is a abacus master)



Link to Speed Abacus