architecture and folk customs. With their operational simplicity and traditional habit, Suanpans are still generally in use in small-scale shops. In mainland China, formerly accountants and financial personnel had to pass certain graded examinations in bead arithmetic before they were qualified. Starting from about 2002 or 2004, this requirement has been entirely replaced by computer accounting. Notes See also Abacus Counting rods Soroban References External links Suanpan Tutor - See the steps in addition and subtraction A Traditional Suan Pan Technique for Multiplication Hex to Suanpan Abacus Chinese inventions Science and technology in China