The abacus is a centuries-old calculating tool that originated in ancient China. Comprised of rods or wires with beads that can be moved back and forth. The abacus provides a tangible representation of numerical values. With the help of the beads, users can perform various arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. While the abacus itself is a physical tool, the practice of using it leads to the development of mental calculation abilities.