Now let's go back to the source and see how computing tools have developed:
1. Count stones and shells
In primitive society, human intelligence was low. At that time, stones were put into purses, or shells were strung into beads, and the items to be counted were calculated by the "one-to-one correspondence" method.
2. Knot count
It is much more convenient to tie a knot or count on a long rope than to use stones and shells.
Count your fingers.
Ten fingers of human beings are natural "counters". Primitive people did not wear shoes and socks, and with ten toes, the range of counting 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.
Count sticks
In China, counting chips with sticks made of wood, bamboo and bones is called "counting chips". 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 10, and Zu Chongzhi to the seventh place after the decimal point. In Europe, it was later developed to carve stripes on sawdust to indicate debt or tax. After the split, both sides of the debt will save half, and it will be recognized when it is verified at the checkout.
5. abacus calculation
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 when used. It originated in China. At the end of Yuan Dynasty (1366), Tao mentioned the word "abacus" for the first time, saying "dial a dial and move". /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.
slide rule
In A.D. 1520, an Englishman named Gunter invented the slide rule and applied it to some special operations, which was quick and time-saving.
7. Manual control 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, it was gradually improved. It can not only do addition and subtraction, but also do multiplication and division. 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. Before that, Janks, a British mathematician, spent 22 years calculating pi to 707 decimal places, so that after his death, people carved the 707 digits of pi on his tombstone to express their admiration for his perseverance and spirit.