Learn the Soroban, Fast
A short course for grown-ups: no baby steps, the same checked abacus as the children's course. About ten minutes a unit.
Unit 1ReadyReading and setting numbersBead values, place value and the unit dot. Set and read any number to 99,999.Unit 2ReadyDirect addition and subtractionAdd and subtract digit by digit from the left when the beads are free. Then in your head.Unit 3ReadySmall friends (complements of 5)When the lower beads run out, use the upper bead and its partner to 5. All eight moves, on multi-digit numbers.Unit 4ReadyBig friends (complements of 10)When a rod cannot take a number, add 10 on the next rod and take away the difference: carrying and borrowing with beads.Unit 5ReadyMixed friends and long carriesA big friend whose take-away needs a small friend, and carries through several full rods. After this, every move.Unit 6ReadyMultiplicationTimes facts, then 2-digit by 1-digit and 2-digit by 2-digit products, added part by part on the soroban.Unit 7ReadyDivisionExact division, biggest place first: take away the largest product that fits, then the rest. Check by multiplying back.Unit 8ReadyAnzan: the mental sorobanPicture the soroban and move its beads in your mind: flashed numbers, flash sums, faster flashes and listening sums.
Who this is for
Parents who want to help a child with the children’s course, teachers, and anyone who wants the soroban for themselves. Each unit shows the moves, gives you a few with hints, then checks a set on your own and a short mental round. Then practice the same rule in Practice and time yourself in the tests.