Soroban - 02 Addition and Subtraction - Complicated

14/10/2020 Soroban: Addition and subtraction – complicated
2. Addition and subtraction –

complicated
addition: indirect sequences

505 + 708
687 + 356
subtraction: indirect sequences
742 – 304
soroban.hostfree.pw/2-soroban-addition-subtraction-complicated.html 1/49
753 – 457
This section covers more complicated additions and subtractions performed

on a soroban. Writing it I assumed that you learned simple additions and
subtractions.
Some sequences described here may seem over-complicated when you read
about them or try them for the first time but they become natural after you
perform them a few times. In order to perform these operations the right way
you have to be aware of: 1) where the current reference position is, 2) in
which column related to the reference position you work at the moment, and
3) which step or sub-step of the operation you’re performing.
You have to master addition and subtraction using abacus in order to learn
multiplication and division because those latter operations consist mainly of
additions and subtractions.
2.1.
addition: indirect sequences
+1 +5 –4 +10 –9
+2 +5 –3 +10 –8
+3 +5 –2 +10 –7
+4 +5 –1 +10 –6
+5 +10 –5
+6 +5 +1 +10 –4
+7 +5 +2 +10 –3
+8 +5 +3 +10 –2
+9 +5 +4 +10 –1
If you have to add 1 to some value but it isn’t possible because all one-beads
are in use in the current reference position you have to perform instead the
operations +5 and –4 or the operations +10 and –9. Both these sequences are
identical to +1 because 5 – 4 = 1 and 10 – 9 = 1 (see: the first row of the table).
Which sequence is the right one at the moment depends on the current
situation on the abacus.
Similar indirect sequences are possible when you have to add any other
number from the range from 2 to 9 but you can’t add it directly. So to
perform an addition you usually add some numbers but sometimes you have
to subtract something.
Don’t try to memorize the above table. It isn’t necessary. At any moment
there’s just one right way to add (or subtract) some value to (or from) some
other one in the current position. You simply see if there’s enough unused
beads in the current column to add the required amount of them directly or
you have to use instead some smart trick. It becomes natural for you with the
time.
2.2.
505 + 708
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 5 0 5
505 + 708
Let’s start addition with the example 505 + 708.
Put 505 on the right side of the abacus making sure that the number ends in
the units column.
Number 708 consists of three digits – 7, 0, and 8. So in order to add it to the

other number you have to perform the addition three times – for each digit
and column separately. Number 7 goes to the third column from the right
side, number 0 goes to the second column from the right side, and number 8
goes to the rightmost column.
2.3.
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 5 0 5
505 + 708
First go to the third column from the right side because the second addend of
the sum consists of three digits. It’s now your current reference position and
the value here is 5.
In order to add 7 to 5 you have to use a smart trick because there’s not
enough spare beads in the reference position to add 7. So instead of adding 7
you have to add 10 and subtract 3. Adding 10 and subtracting 3 (two steps) is
an equivalent of adding 7.
2.4.
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 5 0 5
505 + 708
In the first step add 10. There is no ten-bead on the abacus so instead of
adding 10 you have to go one column to the left from the current column and
add 1 moving a single one-bead towards the beam. The value in the column
preceding the current one changed from 0 to 1.
You finished the first step.
2.5.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 0 0 5
505 + 708
Then go back to the current reference position to subtract 3 in the second

step.
There aren’t three one-beads used here to remove them (see: the previous
image) so instead of subtracting 3 you have to subtract 5 and add 2.
Subtracting 5 and adding 2 is an equivalent of subtracting 3. As a result the
second step splits into two sub-steps.
In the first sub-step subtract 5 moving a five-bead away from the beam. The
value in the current column changes temporarily from 5 to 0.
2.6.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 0 5
505 + 708
In the second sub-step add 2 moving two one-beads towards the beam. The
value in the current column changed from 0 to 2.
You finished the second step.
To recapitulate: the value in the current reference position was 5, then you
added 7 to it in two steps adding 10 and subtracting 3 in two sub-steps, and
now the value in the affected columns is 12. It’s the perfect result because 5 +
7 = 12.
2.7.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 0 5
505 + 708
You finished working in the third column from the right side so change the
reference position moving it one column to the right. It’s now your current
reference position and the value here is 0.
2.8.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 0 5
505 + 708
You have to add 0 in this position so you haven’t moved any beads. Move
instead the reference position one column to the right. It’s now your current
In order to add 8 to 5 you have to use the same smart trick because there’s
not enough spare beads here to add 8. So instead of adding 8 you have to add
10 and subtract 2. Adding 10 and subtracting 2 is an equivalent of adding 8.
2.9.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 1 5
505 + 708
In the first step add 10. There is no ten-bead on the abacus so instead of
adding 10 you have to go one column to the left from the current column and
add 1 moving a single one-bead towards the beam. The value in the column
preceding the current one changed from 0 to 1.
You finished the first step.
2.10.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ • • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 1 0
505 + 708
Then go back to the current reference position to subtract 2 in the second

step.
There aren’t two one-beads used here to remove them (see: the previous
image) so instead of subtracting 2 you have to subtract 5 and add 3. As a
result the second step splits into two sub-steps.
2.11.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ • • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 2 1 3
505 + 708 = 1213
In the second sub-step add 3 moving three one-beads towards the beam. The
You finished the second step.
added 8 to it in two steps adding 10 and subtracting 2 in two sub-steps, and
now the value in the affected columns is 13. It’s the perfect result because 5 +
8 = 13.
You finished the addition so read the result from left to right. It’s 1213.
2.12.
687 + 356
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 6 8 7
687 + 356
Let’s finish addition with the example 687 + 356.
the units column.
Number 356 consists of three digits – 3, 5, and 6. So in order to add it to the

other number you have to perform the addition three times – for each digit
and column separately.
2.13.
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 6 8 7
687 + 356
First go to the third column from the right side because the second addend of
the sum consists of three digits. It’s now your current reference position and
the value here is 6.
2.14.
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 0 9 8 7
687 + 356
Add 3 to 6 moving three one-beads towards the beam. The value in the
current column changed from 6 to 9.
2.15.
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 0 9 8 7
687 + 356
reference position moving it one column right. It’s now your current
You have to add 5 in this position but five-bead is used here. So instead of
adding 5 you have to add 10 and subtract 5. Adding 10 and subtracting 5 is an
equivalent of adding 5.
2.16.
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ • • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 1 9 8 7
687 + 356
In order to add 10 in the current position you have to go one column left and
add 1. Unfortunately the value in the third column from the right side is 9 so
all beads are used here. As a result to add 1 here you have to add 10 and
subtract 9 (the first step splits into two sub-steps).
In order to add 10 in the third column from the right side you have to add 1 in
the fourth column.
So go to the fourth column from the right side and add 1 moving a single one-
bead towards the beam and changing the value in this column from 0 to 1.
This is the first sub-step (the first half of the first original step).
2.17.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 0 8 7
687 + 356
Then go back to the third column from the right side and subtract 9 moving
all beads away from the beam and changing the value in this column from 9
to 0.
This is the second sub-step (the second half of the first original step).
2.18.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 0 3 7
687 + 356
Finally go back to the current reference position and subtract 5 moving a five-
bead away from the beam and changing the value in this column from 8 to 3.
This is the second original step.
To recapitulate: the value in the current reference position was 8 and you
added to it 5 in two steps adding 10 and subtracting 5 but in order to add 10
you had to add 100 and subtract 90. These operations affected the third and
fourth column from the right side. Before the addition the value in these
columns was 98 and now it’s 103. It’s the perfect result because 98 + 5 = 103.
Notice that you haven’t been aware that you’ve added 100 and subtracted 90.
You simply add 1 in some column and subtract 9 in the next one.
2.19.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 1 0 3 7
687 + 356
You finished working in the second column from the right side so change the
reference position moving it one column right. It’s now your current
Now you have to add 6 in this position but there’s not enough free beads here.
So instead of adding 6 you have to add 10 and subtract 4. Adding 10 and
subtracting 4 is an equivalent of adding 6.
2.20.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 1 0 4 7
687 + 356
In the first step go one column left and add 1 moving a single one-bead
towards the beam. As a result the value in this column changed from 3 to 4.
2.21.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦
soroban.hostfree.pw/2-soroban-addition-subtraction-complicated.html
◦ ◦ ◦ • • 23/49
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 1 0 4 2
687 + 356
In the second step go back to the rightmost column in order to subtract 4.
Because there aren’t enough one-beads here in order to subtract 4 (see: the
previous image) you have to do this in two steps first subtracting 5 and then
adding 1. Subtracting 5 and adding 1 is an equivalent of subtracting 4. So your
second step splits into two sub-steps.
2.22.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ • ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 1 0 4 3
687 + 356 = 1043
In the second sub-step add 1 moving a single one-bead towards the beam.
The value in the current column changed from 2 to 3.
To recapitulate: the value in the affected columns was 37, you added 6 to it in
two steps adding 10 and subtracting 4 in two sub-steps, and now the value
there is 43. It’s the perfect result because 37 + 6 = 43.
You finished the addition so read the result from left to right. It’s 1043.
2.23.
subtraction: indirect sequences
–1 –5 +4 –10 +9
–2 –5 +3 –10 +8
–3 –5 +2 –10 +7
–4 –5 +1 –10 +6
–5 –10 +5
–6 –5 –1 –10 +4
–7 –5 –2 –10 +3
–8 –5 –3 –10 +2
–9 –5 –4 –10 +1
If you have to subtract 1 from some value but it isn’t possible because there’s
no single used one-bead in the current reference position you have to perform
instead the operations –5 and +4 or the operations –10 and +9. Both
sequences are identical to –1 because –5 + 4 = –1 and –10 + 9 = –1 (see: the
first row of the table). Which sequence is the right one at the moment
depends on the current situation on the abacus.
Similar indirect sequences are possible when you have to subtract any other
number from the range from 2 to 9 but you can’t subtract it directly. So to
perform a subtraction you usually subtract some numbers but sometimes you
have to add something.
Don’t try to memorize the above table. It isn’t necessary. At any moment
there’s just one right way to subtract (or add) some value from (or to) some
other one in the current position. You simply see if there’s enough used beads
in the current column to subtract the required amount from them directly or
you have to use some smart trick instead. It’ll become natural for you with
time.
2.24.
742 – 304
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 7 4 2
742 – 304
Let’s start subtraction with the example 742 – 304.
the units column.
Number 304 consists of three digits – 3, 0, and 4. So in order to subtract it

from the other number you have to perform the subtraction three times – for
each digit and column separately. Number 3 goes away from the third column
from the right side, number 0 goes away from the second column from the
right side, and number 4 goes away from the rightmost column.
2.25.
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 7 4 2
742 – 304
First go to the third column from the right side because the subtrahend of the
subtraction consists of three digits. It’s now your current reference position
and the value here is 7.
2.26.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 2 4 2
742 – 304
You have to subtract 3 from 7 but there aren’t three one-beads used here to
remove them (see: the previous image) so instead of subtracting 3 you have to
subtract 5 and add 2. Subtracting 5 and adding 2 is an equivalent of
subtracting 3. As a result that step splits into two sub-steps.
2.27.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
0 0 0 4 4 2
742 – 304
In the second sub-step add 2 moving two one-beads towards the beam. The
subtracted 3 from it in two sub-steps subtracting 5 and adding 2, and now the
value in this column is 4. It’s the perfect result because 7 – 3 = 4.
2.28.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
0 0 0 4 4 2
742 – 304
2.29.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
0 0 0 4 4 2
742 – 304
You have to subtract 0 in this position so you haven’t moved any beads. Move
instead the reference position one column to the right. It’s now your current
In order to subtract 4 from 2 you have to use a smart trick because there’s not
enough used beads in the reference position to subtract 4. So instead of
subtracting 4 you have to subtract 10 and add 6. Subtracting 10 and adding 6
(two steps) is an equivalent of subtracting 4.
2.30.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦
◦ ◦ • • • 33/49
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 0 4 3 2
742 – 304
In the first step subtract 10. There are no negative beads on the abacus so
instead of subtracting 10 you have to go one column to the left from the
reference position and subtract 1 moving a single one-bead away from the
beam. The value in the current column changed from 4 to 3.
This is the first step.
2.31.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 0 4 3 7
742 – 304
Then go back to the current reference position to add 6 in the second step.
You have to do this in two sub-steps adding 5 and 1.
In the first sub-step add 5 moving a five-bead towards the beam. The value in
the current column changes temporarily from 2 to 7.
2.32.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ ◦
0 0 0 4 3 8
742 – 304 = 438
To recapitulate: the value in the affected columns was 42, you subtracted 4
from it in two steps subtracting 10 and adding 6 in two sub-steps, and now
the value there is 38. It’s the perfect result because 42 – 4 = 38.
You finished the subtraction so read the result from left to right. It’s 438.
2.33.
753 – 457
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 7 5 3
753 – 457
Let’s finish subtraction with the example 753 – 457.
the units column.
Number 457 consists of three digits – 4, 5, and 7. So in order to subtract it

from the other number you have to perform the subtraction three times – for
each digit and column separately.
2.34.
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 7 5 3
753 – 457
First go to the third column from the right side because the subtrahend of the
subtraction consists of three digits. It’s now your current reference position
and the value here is 7.
2.35.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 2 5 3
753 – 457
You have to subtract 4 from 7 but there aren’t four one-beads used here to
remove them (see: the previous image) so instead of subtracting 4 you have to
subtract 5 and add 1. Subtracting 5 and adding 1 is an equivalent of
subtracting 4. As a result that step splits into two sub-steps.
2.36.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 3 5 3
753 – 457
subtracted 4 from it in two sub-steps subtracting 5 and adding 1, and now the
value in this column is 3. It’s the perfect result because 7 – 4 = 3.
2.37.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 3 5 3
753 – 457
2.38.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 3 0 3
753 – 457
In order to subtract 5 from 5 you have to move a five-bead away from the
beam. As a result the value in this column changed from 5 to 0.
2.39.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 3 0 3
753 – 457
You finished working in the second column from the right side so change the
Now you have to subtract 7 in this position but there’s not enough used beads
here. So instead of subtracting 7 you have to subtract 10 and add 3.
Subtracting 10 and adding 3 is an equivalent of subtracting 7.
2.40.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
0 0 0 2 0 3
753 – 457
In order to subtract 10 in the current position you have to go one column to

the left and subtract 1. Unfortunately the value in the second column from the
right side is 0 so there are no beads to remove here. As a result to subtract 1
here you have to subtract 10 and add 9 (the first step splits into two sub-
steps).
In order to subtract 10 in the second column from the right side you have to
subtract 1 in the third column. So go to the third column and subtract 1
moving a single one-bead away from the beam. The value in this column
changed from 3 to 2.
This is the first sub-step (the first half of the first original step).
2.41.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 2 9 3
753 – 457
Then go back to the second column from the right side and add 9 moving all
beads towards the beam. The value in this column changed from 0 to 9.
This is the second sub-step (the second half of the first original step).
2.42.
◦
◦ ◦ ◦ • • 46/49
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 2 9 8
753 – 457
Finally, go back to the current reference position to add 3 in the second step.
You have to do this in two sub-steps adding 5 and subtracting 2.
In the first sub-step add 5 moving a five-bead towards the beam. The value in
the current column changes temporarily from 3 to 8.
2.43.
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • •
◦ ◦ ◦ • • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ • ◦
0 0 0 2 9 6
753 – 457 = 296
In the second sub-step subtract 2 moving two one-beads away from the beam.
To recapitulate: the value in the current reference position was 3 and you
subtracted 7 from it in two steps subtracting 10 and adding 3 but in order to
subtract 10 you had to subtract 100 and add 90. These operations affected the
second and third column from the right side. Before the subtraction the value
in these columns was 303 and now it’s 296. It’s the perfect result because 303
– 7 = 296.
Notice that you haven’t thought that you subtract 100 and add 90. You simply
subtracted 1 in some column and added 9 in the next one.
You finished the subtraction so read the result from left to right. It’s 296.
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© 2016–2019 Cezary M. Kruk <cezary.kruk@poczta.wp.pl>

Soroban - 02 Addition and Subtraction - Complicated

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14/10/2020 Soroban: Addition and subtraction – complicated

2. Addition and subtraction –

addition: indirect sequences

This section covers more complicated additions and subtractions performed

Let’s start addition with the example 505 + 708.

Number 708 consists of three digits – 7, 0, and 8. So in order to add it to the

You finished the first step.

Then go back to the current reference position to subtract 3 in the second

You finished the second step.

You finished the first step.

Then go back to the current reference position to subtract 2 in the second

505 + 708 = 1213

You finished the second step.

Let’s finish addition with the example 687 + 356.

Number 356 consists of three digits – 3, 5, and 6. So in order to add it to the

This is the second original step.

In the second step go back to the rightmost column in order to subtract 4.

687 + 356 = 1043

Let’s start subtraction with the example 742 – 304.

Number 304 consists of three digits – 3, 0, and 4. So in order to subtract it

This is the first step.

742 – 304 = 438

Let’s finish subtraction with the example 753 – 457.

Number 457 consists of three digits – 4, 5, and 7. So in order to subtract it

In order to subtract 10 in the current position you have to go one column to

753 – 457 = 296

© 2016–2019 Cezary M. Kruk <cezary.kruk@poczta.wp.pl>

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