Using an Abacus/Division

Division is practically the opposite process of multiplication. Division of a given number by a desired number involves the subtraction of the given number by the desired number a certain amount of times, and this certain amount of times the answer. To divide: display original number think of desired number subtract original number by desired number add a bead to a separated row (recommended two above highest digit of original number), this is the counter row Repeat steps 3-4 until original number is less than desired number multiply original number by 10 and repeat steps 3-4 while adding one bead one digit less than counter. Example: (15/4) 15=15 Counter 000-0|-0 0000-|-0 0000-|0- 0000-|-0• 15-4=11 1 000-0|-0 000-0|-0 000-0|-0 0000-|-0• 11-4=7 2 0000-|-0 00-00|-0 00-00|0- 0000-|-0• 7-4=3 3 0000-|-0 0-000|-0 0-000|-0 0000-|-0• 30-4=26 3.1 00-00|-0 0-000|-0 000-0|0- 000-0|-0• ... (6 more times) 6-4=2 3.7 0000-|-0 0-000|-0 00-00|-0 00-00|0-• 20-4=16 3.71 000-0|-0 0-000|-0 000-0|0- 00-00|0-• 000-0|-0 ... (4 more times) 4-4=0 3.75 0000-|-0 0-000|-0 0000-|-0 00-00|0- 0000-|0- Thus (15/4)=3.75 External links Division on a Japanese abacus selected from Abacus: Mystery of the Bead