Welcome to the abacus playground where every bead helps you count with confidence. Move the beads carefully and see how numbers grow step by step.
On the ones rod, how many beads must you move up to show the number 4?
4
2
5
3
On a simple abacus each bead on the ones rod counts as one. To show 4 you move up exactly four beads.
If you move up beads one by one and stop at 7, how many beads are now at the top of the ones rod?
5
7
6
9
Forward counting on the abacus matches the number of beads you lift. Reaching 7 means seven beads are at the top.
You start with no beads up and move 3 beads up on the ones rod. Which number are you showing?
2
8
3
5
Each bead on the ones rod stands for one unit. Three beads up show the number 3.
If you have 5 beads already up and you move one more bead up, what number do you reach?
6
8
5
7
Adding one bead means adding one to the number. So 5 beads plus one more bead make 6.
You move beads up while counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. What is the last number you say?
3
6
4
5
Forward counting stops at the last number you speak. Saying 1 to 5 ends at 5.
On the ones rod, which number needs more beads lifted, 2 or 9?
None, beads stay down
9
2
Both use the same
Larger numbers use more beads on the ones rod. Nine needs more lifted beads than two.
You lift beads one by one and say 1 to 10. How many beads are now at the top of the ones rod?
5
9
8
10
Each count moves one bead up. Counting to 10 means ten beads have been lifted if the rod has that many beads.
If you start with 3 beads up and add 2 more beads, what total number do the beads now show?
4
7
5
6
Adding 2 to 3 makes 5. The abacus shows this with five beads lifted on the ones rod.
You want to show the number 1 on the ones rod. How many beads do you move up?
1
0
10
2
The number 1 is shown by lifting just one bead. That single bead represents one unit.
To show the number 8, how many beads must be at the top of the ones rod?
9
7
8
6
Each bead counts as one so eight beads up show the number 8. Fewer or more beads would show a different number.
Starter
Great start with abacus beads; keep practising simple counting to grow your speed.
Solid
You understand level 1 abacus counting; a little more practice will make your moves smoother.
Expert!
Your level 1 abacus skills are excellent; you are ready for faster sums and new challenges.
