h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Using an Abacus for Addition and Subtraction - A20340235
Author: Leo of the sickly yellow thumb - U519437


In response to Skanky's call for submissions:

I was going to hold this until I got to part two (multiplication and division) but then I became employed, and I suspect I'll never get to it. It isn't much, but it's an entry.

I love it, right from the line 'You seek to join a successful band of raiders, but the leader will let you in only if you become the clan accountant.' Very wry

Great job!

Thanks.

I just finished a raft of corrections.

So, hows this going?

I picked up an abacus, btw, to follow along, as you have dared us to do. This one has 13 columns, not 9. So I guess it goes high enough to calculate the tip at the restaurant at the end of the universe.

>>Either way, you end up with the number 44<<
I think you should get 144 when subtracting 14 from 158.

Very good piece of work

Traveller in Time counting
"There is an entry on < A144280 > 'Mathematics' with an image of an abacus < <./>B89904</.> > this one has 13 rows. "

Any further comments? This looks pretty much ready to me.

Only that a completely gratuitous reference and link could be added to another of the author's entries - something to the effect that, with a certain amount of proficiency, one can operate the abacus with one hand while sneaking food with the other - you know, something about the noise and clatter working to one's advantage.

Other than that entirely ignorable suggestion - yes it does look ready

>>>>Either way, you end up with the number 44<<
I think you should get 144 when subtracting 14 from 158.
<<

Just shows how proficient I got. Honestly, I think this calculator business is a myth. It's the same as pen and paper, you can just reset the thing.


Corrections made. clatterclatterclatterclatter

Very good

(I didn't know we had here I must go and sneak some too )

I'm watching you!

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've therefore moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!

Congratulations

(according to my calculations, the odds in favor of this getting picked were ... a really loud number)

>>>a really loud number<<<

Was the number wearing bright orange shorts and a dayglow pink tshirt?

No - it got ahold of one of those vans with the speakers on top...