The Visual Soroban Project

Drill 0. Smart Moves

These are the suggestions for soroban fingering from Kojima (1954; p. 29). These are
optional, and nobody should be inhibited by them. On the other hand, it is suggested
that the earlier one learns them, the better.
Fingering, all cases

0. Push LOWER beads UP with the thumb. For all other moves use the first
finger.

Order of moves on one rod

1. Push LOWER beads UP (thumb) and an UPPER bead DOWN (finger)

simultaneously. We call this move the pinch.

2. Push LOWER beads DOWN (finger) then an UPPER bead UP (finger) in this
order. We call this move the check (quick down then up).

3. Push an UPPER bead DOWN (finger) then LOWER beads DOWN (finger) in
this order. We call this move the flick (quick down and down).

4. Push LOWER beads UP (thumb) and an UPPER bead UP (finger)

simultaneously. We call this move the double-push.

Order of moves on two adjacent rods

5. For ADDITION, move on the RIGHT rod, then the LEFT rod.

6. For SUBTRACTION, move on the LEFT rod, then the RIGHT rod.

Practice these using a sequence such as this:

Clear (shows 0)

Add 7 (Rule 1, pinch, shows 7)

Take away 7 (Rule 2, check, shows 0)

Add 4 (Rule 0, thumb, shows 4)

Add 2 (Rule 3, flick, shows 6)

Take away 3 (Rule 4, double-push, shows 3)

Add 11 (Rule 5, unit-bead first, shows 14)

Take away 12 (Rule 6, ten-bead first, shows 2)

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #1A

Addition Drill for Tutorial #4
Addition with the Unit Beads
These are exercizes for addition, using only the four unit beads on the units rod.
Perform each exercise in these steps. For example, the exercise

3+1

should be performed like this:

1. Student clears the soroban
2. Teacher (or partner) recites aloud "Set 3"
3. Student sets 3
4. Teacher says, "add 1" (all this is indicated by "3 + 1")
5. Student pushes one unit bead, using Smart Moves only.
6. Finally, check the result (shows 4)
Here are all 6 exercizes for addition of two numbers.

1+1

1+2

1+3

2+1

2+2

3+1

Revised 07 january, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #1B
Subtraction Drill for Tutorial #4
Subtraction with the Unit Beads
These are exercizes for subtraction, using only the four unit beads on the units rod.
Perform each exercise in these steps. For example, the exercise

3-1

should be performed like this:

1. Student clears the soroban
2. Teacher (or partner) recites aloud "Set 3"
3. Student sets 3
4. Teacher says, "subtract 1" (all this is indicated by "3 - 1")
5. Student pushes one unit bead, using Smart Moves only.
6. Finally, check the result (shows 2)
Here are all 10 exercizes for subtraction of two numbers.

1-1

2-1

2-2

3-1

3-2

3-3

4-1

4-2

4-3

4-4

Revised 07 january, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #4M
Mixed Drill for Tutorial #4
Addition with the Unit Beads
These are exercizes for mixed addition and subtraction, using only the four unit
beads on the units rod. Here are all 64 mixed exercizes for addition and
subtraction of four numbers totaling 4.

01. 1 - 1 + 1 + 3

02. 1 - 1 + 2 + 2

03. 1 - 1 + 3 + 1

04. 1 - 1 + 4

05. 1 + 1 - 2 + 4

06. 1 + 1 - 1 + 3

07. 1 + 1 + 1 + 1

08. 1 + 1 + 2

09. 1 + 2 - 3 + 4

10. 1 + 2 - 2 + 3

11. 1 + 2 - 1 + 2

12. 1 + 2 + 1

13. 1 + 3 - 4 + 4

14. 1 + 3 - 3 + 3

15. 1 + 3 - 2 + 2

16. 1 + 3 - 1 + 1

17. 2 - 2 + 1 + 3

18. 2 - 2 + 2 + 2

19. 2 - 2 + 3 + 1

20. 2 - 2 + 4

21. 2 - 1 - 1 + 4

22. 2 - 1 + 1 + 2

23. 2 - 1 + 2 + 1

24. 2 - 1 + 3

25. 2 + 1 - 3 + 4

26. 2 + 1 - 2 + 3

27. 2 + 1 - 1 + 2

28. 2 + 1 + 1

29. 2 + 2 - 4 + 4

30. 2 + 2 - 3 + 3

31. 2 + 2 - 2 + 2

32. 2 + 2 - 1

33. 3 - 3 + 1 + 3

34. 3 - 3 + 2 + 2

35. 3 - 3 + 3 + 1

36. 3 - 3 + 4

37. 3 - 2 - 1 + 4

38. 3 - 2 + 1 + 2

39 3 - 2 + 2 + 1

40 3 - 2 + 3

41. 3 - 1 - 2 + 4

42. 3 - 1 - 1 + 3

43. 3 - 1 + 1 + 1

44. 3 - 1 + 2

45. 3 + 1 - 4 + 4

46. 3 + 1 - 3 + 3

47. 3 + 1 - 2 + 2

48. 3 + 1 - 1 + 1

49. 4 - 4 + 1 + 3

50. 4 - 4 + 2 + 2

51. 4 - 4 + 3 + 1

52. 4 - 4 + 4

53. 4 - 3 - 1 + 4

54. 4 - 3 + 1 + 2

55 4 - 3 + 2 + 1

56 4 - 3 + 3

57. 4 - 2 - 2 + 4

58. 4 - 2 - 1 + 3

59. 4 - 2 + 1 + 1

60. 4 - 2 + 2

61. 4 - 1 - 3 + 4

62. 4 - 1 - 2 + 3

63. 4 - 1 - 1 + 2

64. 4 - 1 + 1

Revised 07 january, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #5A
Addition Drill for Tutorial #5
Addition with the Unit Beads and Five Bead
Here are all 20 exercizes for addition of two numbers on the units-rod involving the
five-bead, but no jumps over the bar.
1. 1 + 5
2. 1 + 6
3. 1 + 7
4. 1 + 8
5. 2 + 5
6. 2 + 6
7. 2 + 7
8. 3 + 5
9. 3 + 6
10. 4 + 5
11. 5 + 1
12. 5 + 2
13. 5 + 3

14. 5 + 4
15. 6 + 1
16. 6 + 2
17. 6 + 3
18. 7 + 1
19. 7 + 2
20. 8 + 1
Revised 19 January, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #1
Addition Drill for Tutorial #5
Introducing the Five Bead
These are exercizes for addition, jumping the bar on the unit rod. Perform each exercise
in these steps. For example, the exercise

4+1[1=5-4]

should be performed like this:

1. Student clears the soroban
2. Teacher (or partner) recites aloud "Set 4"
3. Student sets 4
4. Teacher says, "add 1" (all this is indicated by "4 + 1")
5. Student recites "1 is 5 take away 4" while jumping the bar
(using Rule #3, the flick)
This is indicated by "[ 1 = 5 - 4 ]"
6. Finally, check the result (shows 5)
Here are all 10 exercizes. Practise in random order. Rule #3 applies to all.

4+1[1=5-4]

4+2[2=5-3]

4+3[3=5-2]

4+4[4=5-1]

3+2[2=5-3]

3+3[3=5-2]

3+4[4=5-1]

2+3[3=5-2]

2+4[4=5-1]

1+4[4=5-1]

Revised 25 october, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #5S
Subtraction Drill for Tutorial #5
Subtraction with the Unit-Beads and Five-Bead
Here are all 25 exercizes for subtraction of two numbers on the units-rod involving the
five-bead, but no jumps over the bar.
1. 5 - 5
2. 6 - 1
3. 6 - 5
4. 6 - 6
5. 7 - 1
6. 7 - 2
7. 7 - 5
8. 7 - 6
9. 7 - 7
10. 8 - 1
11. 8 - 2
12. 8 - 3
13. 8 - 5
14. 8 - 6

15. 8 - 7
16. 8 - 8
17. 9 - 1
18. 9 - 2
19. 9 - 3
20. 9 - 4
21. 9 - 5
22. 9 - 6
23. 9 - 7
24. 9 - 8
25. 9 - 9
Revised 19 January, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #2
Drill for Tutorial #5
Introducing the Five Bead
These are exercizes for subtraction, jumping the bar on the unit rod. Perform each
exercise in these steps. For example, the exercise

5 - 1 [ -1 = + 4 - 5 ]

should be performed like this:

1. Student clears the soroban
2. Teacher (or partner) recites aloud "Set 5"
3. Student sets 5
4. Teacher says, "take away 1" (all this is indicated by "5 - 1")
5. Student recites "- 1 means add 4 and take away 5"
(using Rule #4, the double-push)
This is indicated by "[ - 1 = + 4 - 5 ]" (note the order)
6. Finally, check the result
Here are all 10 exercizes. Practised in random order. All use Rule #4.

5 - 1 [ -1 = + 4 - 5 ]

5 - 2 [ -2 = + 3 - 5 ]

5 - 3 [ -3 = + 2 - 5 ]

5 - 4 [ -4 = + 1 - 5 ]

6 - 2 [ -2 = + 3 - 5 ]

6 - 3 [ -3 = + 2 - 5 ]

6 - 4 [ -4 = + 1 - 5 ]

7 - 3 [ -3 = + 2 - 5 ]

7 - 4 [ -4 = + 1 - 5 ]

8 - 4 [ -4 = + 1 - 5 ]

Revised 25 October, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #5M
Mixed Drill for Tutorial #5
Addition and subtraction with the Unit Beads and Five
Bead
Here are all 65 exercizes for addition or subtraction of two numbers on the units-rod
involving the five-bead, both with and without jumps over the bar.
1. 1 + 4
2. 1 + 5
3. 1 + 6
4. 1 + 7
5. 1 + 8
6. 2 + 3
7. 2 + 4
8. 2 + 5
9. 2 + 6
10. 2 + 7

11. 3 + 2
12. 3 + 3
13. 3 + 4
14. 3 + 5
15. 3 + 6
16. 4 + 1
17. 4 + 2
18. 4 + 3
19. 4 + 4
20. 4 + 5
21. 5 + 1
22. 5 + 2
23. 5 + 3
24. 5 + 4
25. 6 + 1
26. 6 + 2
27. 6 + 3
28. 7 + 1
29. 7 + 2
30. 8 + 1
31. 5 - 1
32. 5 - 2
33. 5 - 3
34. 5 - 4
35. 5 - 5
36. 6 - 1
37. 6 - 2
38. 6 - 3
39. 6 - 4

40. 6 - 5
41. 6 - 6
42. 7 - 1
43. 7 - 2
44. 7 - 3
45. 7 - 4
46. 7 - 5
47. 7 - 6
48. 7 - 7
49. 8 - 1
50. 8 - 2
51. 8 - 3
52. 8 - 4
53. 8 - 5
54. 8 - 6
55. 8 - 7
56. 8 - 8
57. 9 - 1
58. 9 - 2
59. 9 - 3
60. 9 - 4
61. 9 - 5
62. 9 - 6
63. 9 - 7
64. 9 - 8
65. 9 - 9
Revised 19 January, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #5M-4
Mixed Drill for Tutorial #5
Addition and subtraction with the Unit Beads and Five
Bead
Here are all 240 exercizes for addition or subtraction of four numbers on the units-rod
involving the five-bead, both with and without jumps over the bar, totalling 5.
Part 1A: 1 + X
1. 1 + 4 - 5 + 5
2. 1 + 4 - 4 + 4
3. 1 + 4 - 3 + 3
4. 1 + 4 - 2 + 2
5. 1 + 4 - 1 + 1
6. 1 + 5 - 6 + 5
7. 1 + 5 - 5 + 4
8. 1 + 5 - 4 + 3
9. 1 + 5 - 3 + 2
10. 1 + 5 - 2 + 1
11. 1 + 5 - 1
12. 1 + 6 - 7 + 5
13. 1 + 6 - 6 + 4
14. 1 + 6 - 5 + 3
15. 1 + 6 - 4 + 2
16. 1 + 6 - 3 + 1
17. 1 + 6 - 2
18. 1 + 7 - 8 + 5
19. 1 + 7 - 7 + 4
20. 1 + 7 - 6 + 3
21. 1 + 7 - 5 + 2

22. 1 + 7 - 4 + 1
23. 1 + 7 - 3
24. 1 + 8 - 9 + 5
25. 1 + 8 - 8 + 4
26. 1 + 8 - 7 + 3
27. 1 + 8 - 6 + 2
28. 1 + 8 - 5 + 1
29. 1 + 8 - 4
Part 2A: 2 + X
1. 2 + 3 - 5 + 5
2. 2 + 3 - 4 + 4
3. 2 + 3 - 3 + 3
4. 2 + 3 - 2 + 2
5. 2 + 3 - 1 + 1
6. 2 + 4 - 6 + 5
7. 2 + 4 - 5 + 4
8. 2 + 4 - 4 + 3
9. 2 + 4 - 3 + 2
10. 2 + 4 - 2 + 1
11. 2 + 4 - 1
12. 2 + 5 - 7 + 5
13. 2 + 5 - 6 + 4
14. 2 + 5 - 5 + 3
15. 2 + 5 - 4 + 2
16. 2 + 5 - 3 + 1
17. 2 + 5 - 2
18. 2 + 6 - 8 + 5
19. 2 + 6 - 7 + 4
20. 2 + 6 - 6 + 3

21. 2 + 6 - 5 + 2
22. 2 + 6 - 4 + 1
23. 2 + 6 - 3
24. 2 + 7 - 9 + 5
25. 2 + 7 - 8 + 4
26. 2 + 7 - 7 + 3
27. 2 + 7 - 6 + 2
28. 2 + 7 - 5 + 1
29. 2 + 7 - 4
Part 3A: 3 + X
1. 3 + 2 - 5 + 5
2. 3 + 2 - 4 + 4
3. 3 + 2 - 3 + 3
4. 3 + 2 - 2 + 2
5. 3 + 2 - 1 + 1
6. 3 + 3 - 6 + 5
7. 3 + 3 - 5 + 4
8. 3 + 3 - 4 + 3
9. 3 + 3 - 3 + 2
10. 3 + 3 - 2 + 1
11. 3 + 3 - 1
12. 3 + 4 - 7 + 5
13. 3 + 4 - 6 + 4
14. 3 + 4 - 5 + 3
15. 3 + 4 - 4 + 2
16. 3 + 4 - 3 + 1
17. 3 + 4 - 2
18. 3 + 5 - 8 + 5
19. 3 + 5 - 7 + 4

20. 3 + 5 - 6 + 3
21. 3 + 5 - 5 + 2
22. 3 + 5 - 4 + 1
23. 3 + 5 - 3
24. 3 + 6 - 9 + 5
25. 3 + 6 - 8 + 4
26. 3 + 6 - 7 + 3
27. 3 + 6 - 6 + 2
28. 3 + 6 - 5 + 1
29. 3 + 6 - 4
Part 4A: 4 + X
1. 4 + 1 - 5 + 5
2. 4 + 1 - 4 + 4
3. 4 + 1 - 3 + 3
4. 4 + 1 - 2 + 2
5. 4 + 1 - 1 + 1
6. 4 + 2 - 6 + 5
7. 4 + 2 - 5 + 4
8. 4 + 2 - 4 + 3
9. 4 + 2 - 3 + 2
10. 4 + 2 - 2 + 1
11. 4 + 2 - 1
12. 4 + 3 - 7 + 5
13. 4 + 3 - 6 + 4
14. 4 + 3 - 5 + 3
15. 4 + 3 - 4 + 2
16. 4 + 3 - 3 + 1
17. 4 + 3 - 2
18. 4 + 4 - 8 + 5

19. 4 + 4 - 7 + 4
20. 4 + 4 - 6 + 3
21. 4 + 4 - 5 + 2
22. 4 + 4 - 4 + 1
23. 4 + 4 - 3
24. 4 + 5 - 9 + 5
25. 4 + 5 - 8 + 4
26. 4 + 5 - 7 + 3
27. 4 + 5 - 6 + 2
28. 4 + 5 - 5 + 1
29. 4 + 5 - 4
Part 5A: 5 + X
1. 5 + 1 - 6 + 5
2. 5 + 1 - 5 + 4
3. 5 + 1 - 4 + 3
4. 5 + 1 - 3 + 2
5. 5 + 1 - 2 + 1
6. 5 + 1 - 1
7. 5 + 2 - 7 + 5
8. 5 + 2 - 6 + 4
9. 5 + 2 - 5 + 3
10. 5 + 2 - 4 + 2
11. 5 + 2 - 3 + 1
12. 5 + 2 - 2
13. 5 + 3 - 8 + 5
14. 5 + 3 - 7 + 4
15. 5 + 3 - 6 + 3
16. 5 + 3 - 5 + 2
17. 5 + 3 - 4 + 1

18. 5 + 3 - 3
19. 5 + 4 - 9 + 5
20. 5 + 4 - 8 + 4
21. 5 + 4 - 7 + 3
22. 5 + 4 - 6 + 2
23. 5 + 4 - 5 + 1
24. 5 + 4 - 4
Part 5S: 5 - X
1. 5 - 1 + 5 - 4
2. 5 - 1 + 4 - 3
3. 5 - 1 + 3 - 2
4. 5 - 1 + 2 - 1
5. 5 - 1 + 1
6. 5 - 2 + 6 - 4
7. 5 - 2 + 5 - 3
8. 5 - 2 + 4 - 2
9. 5 - 2 + 3 - 1
10. 5 - 2 + 2
11. 5 - 3 + 7 - 4
12. 5 - 3 + 6 - 3
13. 5 - 3 + 5 - 2
14. 5 - 3 + 4 - 1
15. 5 - 3 + 3
16. 5 - 4 + 8 - 4
17. 5 - 4 + 7 - 3
18. 5 - 4 + 6 - 2
19. 5 - 4 + 5 - 1
20. 5 - 4 + 4
Part 6S: 6 - X

1. 6 - 2 + 1
2. 6 - 2 + 2 - 1
3. 6 - 2 + 3 - 2
4. 6 - 2 + 4 - 3
5. 6 - 2 + 5 - 4
6. 6 - 3 + 2
7. 6 - 3 + 3 - 1
8. 6 - 3 + 4 - 2
9. 6 - 3 + 5 - 3
10. 6 - 3 + 6 - 4
11. 6 - 4 + 3
12. 6 - 4 + 4 - 1
13. 6 - 4 + 5 - 2
14. 6 - 4 + 6 - 3
15. 6 - 4 + 7 - 4
16. 6 - 5 + 4
17. 6 - 5 + 5 - 1
18. 6 - 5 + 6 - 2
19. 6 - 5 + 7 - 3
20. 6 - 5 + 8 - 4
Part 7S: 7 - X
1. 7 - 3 + 1
2. 7 - 3 + 2 - 1
3. 7 - 3 + 3 - 2
4. 7 - 3 + 4 - 3
5. 7 - 3 + 5 - 4
6. 7 - 4 + 2
7. 7 - 4 + 3 - 1
8. 7 - 4 + 4 - 2

9. 7 - 4 + 5 - 3
10. 7 - 4 + 6 - 4
11. 7 - 5 + 3
12. 7 - 5 + 4 - 1
13. 7 - 5 + 5 - 2
14. 7 - 5 + 6 - 3
15. 7 - 5 + 7 - 4
16. 7 - 6 + 4
17. 7 - 6 + 5 - 1
18. 7 - 6 + 6 - 2
19. 7 - 6 + 7 - 3
20. 7 - 6 + 8 - 4
Part 8S: 8 - X
1. 8 - 4 + 1
2. 8 - 4 + 2 - 1
3. 8 - 4 + 3 - 2
4. 8 - 4 + 4 - 3
5. 8 - 4 + 5 - 4
6. 8 - 5 + 2
7. 8 - 5 + 3 - 1
8. 8 - 5 + 4 - 2
9. 8 - 5 + 5 - 3
10. 8 - 5 + 6 - 4
11. 8 - 6 + 3
12. 8 - 6 + 4 - 1
13. 8 - 6 + 5 - 2
14. 8 - 6 + 6 - 3
15. 8 - 6 + 7 - 4
16. 8 - 7 + 4

17. 8 - 7 + 5 - 1
18. 8 - 7 + 6 - 2
19. 8 - 7 + 7 - 3
20. 8 - 7 + 8 - 4
Part 9S: 9 - X
1. 9 - 5 + 1
2. 9 - 5 + 2 - 1
3. 9 - 5 + 3 - 2
4. 9 - 5 + 4 - 3
5. 9 - 5 + 5 - 4
6. 9 - 6 + 2
7. 9 - 6 + 3 - 1
8. 9 - 6 + 4 - 2
9. 9 - 6 + 5 - 3
10. 9 - 6 + 6 - 4
11. 9 - 7 + 3
12. 9 - 7 + 4 - 1
13. 9 - 7 + 5 - 2
14. 9 - 7 + 6 - 3
15. 9 - 7 + 7 - 4
16. 9 - 8 + 4
17. 9 - 8 + 5 - 1
18. 9 - 8 + 6 - 2
19. 9 - 8 + 7 - 3
20. 9 - 8 + 8 - 4
Revised 28 January, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #3
Addition Drill for Tutorial #6
Addition with the Ten Bead
Addition involving the ten bead involves two adjacent rods. For example,

9 + 1 [ 1 = - 9 + 10 ]

means (using Rule #5): add one when there is no unit bead to set:

pull 9 off the units rod (that is, using Rule #2, the check)
o

push down 4 unit-beads,

then push up one five bead),

then push up one ten-bead on the tens-rod.

Here are all 45 exercizes, to be practised in random order.

Note: ** denotes a double jump (10 cases of the 45) using Rule #4, the double-push.
Practice these a lot !!!

9 + 1 [ 1 = - 9 + 10 ]

9 + 2 [ 2 = - 8 + 10 ]

9 + 3 [ 3 = - 7 + 10 ]

9 + 4 [ 4 = - 6 + 10 ]

9 + 5 [ 5 = - 5 + 10 ]

9 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 ]

9 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 ]

9 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

9 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

8 + 2 [ 2 = - 8 + 10 ]

8 + 3 [ 3 = - 7 + 10 ]

8 + 4 [ 4 = - 6 + 10 ]

8 + 5 [ 5 = - 5 + 10 ]

8 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

8 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 ]

8 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

8 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

7 + 3 [ 3 = - 7 + 10 ]

7 + 4 [ 4 = - 6 + 10 ]

7 + 5 [ 5 = - 5 + 10 ]

7 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

7 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

7 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

7 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

6 + 4 [ 4 = - 6 + 10 ]

6 + 5 [ 5 = - 5 + 10 ]

6 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 = ( +3 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

5 + 5 [ 5 = - 5 + 10 ]

5 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 = ( +3 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 = ( +4 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

4 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 ]

4 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 ]

4 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

4 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

3 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 ]

3 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

3 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

2 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 ]

2 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

1 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 ]

Revised 25 October, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #4
Subtraction Drill for Tutorial #6
Subtraction with the Ten Bead
These are exercizes for subtraction involving the ten bead, and therefore two adjacent
rods. For example,

10 - 1 [ -1 = -10 + 9 ]

means (using Rule #6): subtract one when there is no unit bead to pull off: pull off one
ten bead (lower bead on the tens-rod), and push on 9 (that is, using Rule #1, the pinch)
push down one five bead and push up 4 unit beads).
Here are all 45 exercizes, to be practised in random order.
Note: ** denotes double jump (10 cases of the 45) using Rule #3, the flick. Practice
these a lot !!!

10 - 1 [ -1 = -10 + 9 ]

10 - 2 [ -2 = -10 + 8 ]

10 - 3 [ -3 = -10 + 7 ]

10 - 4 [ -4 = -10 + 6 ]

10 - 5 [ -5 = -10 + 5 ]

10 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 ]

10 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 ]

10 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 ]

10 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

11 - 2 [ -2 = -10 + 8 ]

11 - 3 [ -3 = -10 + 7 ]

11 - 4 [ -4 = -10 + 6 ]

11 - 5 [ -5 = -10 + 5 ]

11 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + ( 5 - 1 )] **

11 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 ]

11 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 ]

11 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

12 - 3 [ -3 = -10 + 7 ]

12 - 4 [ -4 = -10 + 6 ]

12 - 5 [ -5 = -10 + 5 ]

12 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + 5 - 1] **

12 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + 5 - 2] **

12 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 ]

12 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

13 - 4 [ -4 = -10 + 6 ]

13 - 5 [ -5 = -10 + 5 ]

13 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + 5 - 1] **

13 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + 5 - 2] **

13 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 = -10 + 5 - 3] **

13 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

14 - 5 [ -5 = -10 + 5 ]

14 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + 5 - 1] **

14 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + 5 - 2] **

14 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 = -10 + 5 - 3] **

14 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 = -10 + 5 - 4] **

15 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 ]

15 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 ]

15 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 ]

15 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

16 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 ]

16 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 ]

16 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

17 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 8 ]

17 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

18 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 ]

Revised 25 October, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #5 Here are all 20 double jump
exercizes, to be practised in random order. Practice
these a lot !!!

8 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

7 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

7 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

6 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 = ( +3 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 6 [ 6 = - 4 + 10 = ( +1 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 7 [ 7 = - 3 + 10 = ( +2 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 8 [ 8 = - 2 + 10 = ( +3 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

5 + 9 [ 9 = - 1 + 10 = ( +4 - 5 ) + 10 ] **

11 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + ( +5 - 1 )] **

12 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + ( +5 - 1 )] **

12 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + ( +5 - 2 )] **

13 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + ( +5 - 1 )] **

13 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + ( +5 - 2 )] **

13 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 = -10 + ( +5 - 3 )] **

14 - 6 [ -6 = -10 + 4 = -10 + ( +5 - 1 )] **

14 - 7 [ -7 = -10 + 3 = -10 + ( +5 - 2 )] **

14 - 8 [ -8 = -10 + 2 = -10 + ( +5 - 3 )] **

14 - 9 [ -9 = -10 + 1 = -10 + ( +5 - 4 )] **

Revised 26 November, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Visual Soroban Project

Soroban Drill #6
Here are all 30 double jump pair exercizes: a double jump addition followed by a
double jump subtraction (rounded up to a total of 10). [ 8 +6 -6 +2 ] is to be read thus:
starting with 8, (pause), add 6, (pause), subtract 6, (pause), add 2, (pause), that's all.

01. [ 8 +6 -6 +2 ]

02. [ 8 +6 -7 +3 ]

03. [ 8 +6 -8 +4 ]

04. [ 8 +6 -9 +5 ]

05. [ 7 +6 -6 +3 ]

06. [ 7 +6 -7 +4 ]

07. [ 7 +6 -8 +5 ]

08. [ 7 +7 -6 +2 ]

09. [ 7 +7 -7 +3 ]

10. [ 7 +7 -8 +4 ]

11. [ 7 +7 -9 +5 ]

12. [ 6 +6 -6 +4 ]

13. [ 6 +6 -7 +5 ]

14. [ 6 +7 -6 +3 ]

15. [ 6 +7 -7 +4 ]

16. [ 6 +7 -8 +5 ]

17. [ 6 +8 -6 +2 ]

18. [ 6 +8 -7 +3 ]

19. [ 6 +8 -8 +4 ]

20. [ 6 +8 -9 +5 ]

21. [ 5 +6 -6 +5 ]

22. [ 5 +7 -6 +4 ]

23. [ 5 +7 -7 +5 ]

24. [ 5 +8 -6 +3 ]

25. [ 5 +8 -7 +4 ]

26. [ 5 +8 -8 +5 ]

27. [ 5 +9 -6 +2 ]

28. [ 5 +9 -7 +3 ]

29. [ 5 +9 -8 +4 ]

30. [ 5 +9 -9 +5 ]

Revised 30 November, 2010 by Ralph Abraham

The Soroban Site of the Visual Math Institute

Soroban Drills
Randomized lists of 10 moves, for practice in random order
It is recommended that the teacher or partner print one of these to
read aloud, OR, to give to the student for practice. Each click produces
a new random list. Practice a few minutes every day with a fresh list.
Soroban Rando-Drill #5A
Addition drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five Bead. (11/20/2010)
Soroban Rando-Drill #5S
Subtraction drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five Bead.
(11/20/2010)
Soroban Rando-Drill #6A
Addition drill for Tutorial #6: Using the Ten Bead. (11/20/2010)
Soroban Rando-Drill #6S
Subtraction drill for Tutorial #6: Using the Ten Bead.
(11/20/2010)

 Soroban Rando-Drill #D2

Addition and Subtraction drill for double jump pairs.
(12/25/2010)

Revised 15 February, 2011 by Ralph Abraham

10 exercizes chosen randomly from a list of 10

2+4
2+3
3+3
3+3
3+2
3+3
2+3
4+2
1+4
2+3
that is all

10 exercizes chosen randomly from a list of 10

7-4
7-4
6-2
5-1
7-3
5-3
5-2
5-2
7-4
6-3

that is all

10 exercizes chosen randomly from a list of 45

2+9
8 + 6 **
7+8
4+8
4+8
9+5
6+5
8+3
4+9
7 + 6 **
that is all

10 exercizes chosen randomly from a list of 45

14 - 7 **
15 - 6
13 - 6 **
14 - 5
15 - 7
15 - 7
13 - 8 **
17 - 8
11 - 3
13 - 8 **
that is all

10 exercizes chosen randomly from a list of 30

6 +8 -6 +2

5 +9 -7 +3
8 +6 -8 +4
7 +7 -6 +2
5 +9 -6 +2
5 +7 -6 +4
5 +8 -6 +3
5 +8 -7 +4
5 +8 -7 +4
7 +6 -6 +3
that is all

The Soroban Site of the Visual Math Institute

Soroban Drills
Talking Drills
Click to choose a drill at random and hear it spoken by Hiroko Tojo.
Soroban Talking-Drill #4M
Mixed drill for Tutorial #4: Unit beads 1 to 4. (1/19/2011)
Add and/or subtract four numbers, totalling 4
Soroban Talking-Drill #5A
Addition drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five-Bead without jumps.
(1/20/2011)
Soroban Talking-Drill #5AJ
Addition drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five-Bead with jumps.
(1/20/2011)
Soroban Talking-Drill #5S
Subtraction drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five-Bead without jumps.
(1/20/2011)
Soroban Talking-Drill #5SJ
Subtraction drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five-Bead with jumps.
(1/20/2011)
Soroban Talking-Drill #5M (2/18/2011)
Subtraction and Addition drill for Tutorial #5: Using the Five-Bead with
jumps.
Add and/or subtract four numbers, totalling 5

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-1A, Starting from 1, Addition

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-2A, Starting from 2, Addition

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-3A, Starting from 3, Addition

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-4A, Starting from 4, Addition

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-5A, Starting from 5, Addition

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-5S, Starting from 5,

Subtraction

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-6S, Starting from 6,

Subtraction

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-7S, Starting from 7,

Subtraction

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-8S, Starting from 8,

Subtraction

Soroban Talking-Drill #5M-9S, Starting from 9,

Subtraction

Soroban Talking-Drill #D2

Mixed drill for double jumps. (1/11/2011)
Add and/or subtract four numbers, totalling 10