Multiplication

There are several methods of multiplication on the abacus. The one of recent method which is generally considered the standard method taught in grade schools.

For example, in the problem 5 x 2 = 10, 5 will be called the multiplicand, 2 the multiplier, and 10 the product.

To set the multiplicand at the central part of the abacus and the multiplier to the left, leaving two or three rods unused between the two numbers, just enough to separate them clearly but not too widely. The method of multiplication used here gives the product immediately to the right of the multiplicand. There is a less favored method which gives the first figure of the product immediately to the left.

As for the order of setting the multiplicand and the multiplier, since the unit figure of

the multiplicand must be set on a unit rod, it is advisable for the beginner to set the

multiplicand ahead of the multiplier. It should be noted, however, that experts can locate

both the multiplicand and the multiplier at a glance. So they very often set the multiplier

ahead of the multiplicand, thus saving the time required in shifting the hand back to the

left after setting the multiplicand. Even more frequently experts set only the multiplicand

on the board not even troubling to set the multiplier.