In the long history, with the development of society and the progress of science and technology, the tools used by human beings for calculation have also experienced development and changes from simple to complex and from low to high. This evolution process reflects the arduous course and broad prospect of human understanding and transforming the world.

Now let's go back to the source and see how computing tools have developed:

1, stones and shells count.

In primitive society, the method of human calculation is very simple. Put stones into purses or string shells into beads, and use the "one-to-one correspondence" method to calculate the items to be counted.

2. Knot count

It is much more convenient to tie a knot or count on a long rope than to use stones and shells.

Step 3 count your fingers

Ten fingers of human beings are natural "counters". Primitive people did not wear shoes and socks, and with ten toes, the counting range was wider. Up to now, some ethnic groups still use "hands" to represent "five" and "people" to represent "twenty". It is speculated that "decimal" is widely used, which is probably related to finger counting.

Step 4 count sticks

Counting sticks made of wood, bamboo and bones are called "counting tablets" in China. It can be moved and placed at will, which is superior to the above various calculation tools, so it has been used for a long time. Liu Hui used it to calculate pi to 3. 14 16, and Zu Chongzhi to the seventh place after the decimal point. Later, in Europe, it developed to carve stripes on sawdust to indicate debt or tax. After the division, both sides of the debt will save half, and when the division is verified to be correct, it will be recognized.

5. abacus

The abacus calculation replaces "calculation and preparation" with round beads and connects them into a whole, which simplifies the calculation process and is more handy to use. It originated in China, and the word "abacus" was first mentioned in Tao's Record of Dropping out of Farming in Nancun at the end of Yuan Dynasty, and it was called "moving when you dial it".

/kloc-In the 5th century, the method of making abacus was recorded in detail in Luban Mu Jing. In modern times, a new type of electronic abacus came out, which combines the advantages of abacus and electronic calculator, and is a new calculation tool combining Chinese and foreign.

Step 6 slide rule

1520, an Englishman named Gunter invented the slide rule and applied it to some special operations, which was quick and time-saving.

7. Laptop computer

The earliest hand-cranked computer was made by French mathematician Bastiat in 1642. It uses gears to represent numbers, and the meshing device between gears realizes carry, and the low gear turns ten times and the high gear turns one time. Later, after gradual improvement, you can not only add and subtract, but also multiply and divide, and the operation is simpler and faster.

8. Electronic computers

With the development of modern high technology, electronic computers appeared in the 20th century. Its appearance is "one of the most brilliant achievements of human civilization" and marks "the beginning of the second industrial revolution".

Its operating efficiency and accuracy are unprecedented. From 65438 to 0946, Dr. urquhart and Dr. Mao Xili of the United States successfully developed the world's first electronic computer. In the following 60 years, with the rapid progress of science and technology, electronic computers have also developed at a high speed, and the components used have also undergone four generations of changes.