Chisenbop tutorial
Introduction
Chisenbop is a method of doing basic arithmetic using your fingers.
It is attributed to the Korean tradition, but it is probably
extremely old, as the soroban and abacus use very similar methods.
Probably these other devices were derived from finger counting.
Counting
The key to finger math is understanding how to count. The right hand
stands for the values zero through nine. Each digit counts as one,
and the thumb counts as five. Here's an illustration:
As you can see, digits 0 through four are pretty self explanatory.
The thumb counts as five, so here's how to represent five through
nine:
The left hand represents multiples of ten, with the right thumb
representing 50. Here's how the left hand works:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 0 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
40 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
Counting practice
Below is a place to practice your counting techniques. You can use it
in a number of ways. Press the add 1, add 10, subtract 1, and
subtract 10 buttons to see the various combinations. You can also
enter in any two-digit value into the text box, hit the tab key, and
the fingers will show that combination.
Note that I showed the fingers either fully extended or completely
hidden. Usually, finger counting is done against a table or other
surface, and the finger is pressed against the surface to indicate it
is 'on', or lifted to indicate 'off.' I have chosen this other
representation just because it is more clear than looking carefully at
pictures to determine if the fingers are touching the surface or not.
Streaming media lessons
These files are experiments in SMIL programming. The files all require real player, which you can download for free from www.real.com
Thoughts on Multiplication
I've recently been thinking about finger-based multiplication. Below
is a mini-essay I've been working on in various online forums
regarding the topic. Let me know what you think.
mult.html
I have a very exciting new thought about how to do finger multiplication.
I've applied to present this technique at TED (Technology, Education and Design.)
If my presentation gets accepted, I'll link to it here.
Chisenbop on the iPad
I've noticed a couple of chisenbop Apps available on the iPad. The iPad seems
like a perfect tool for practicing this technique. Here's my take on the two
choices available right now:
This app by design seedling has been
available on the app store for some time. It appears to be
exactly like the web app on this page. (The authors never contacted me, but
that was not necessary.) The one change is moving from my horribly photoshopped
finger chopping to nicer finger outlines. There may be more to the app, but
I wasn't willing to pay to find out.
I find it strange that they charge 99 cents for
what appears to be exactly the functionality found for free on this site. It
would be fine for a free app, but I'm not sure it's worth paying for. You can
get the same functionality (which isn't much) here for free.
Finger Math, by
Our House Interactive is a much more complete offering. It uses a game-like
approach to teaching counting and arithmetic skills. It is colorful and inviting,
and keeps track of the progress multiple players.
I find this app to be a much better choice for 99 cents. I am impressed
enough that I have talked to the author and will be acting as a consultant
on future updates.
EMT App
Here's a note I received from an EMT who uses
a variation of Chisenbop to rapidly determine a patient's age
-Andy
Return to Andy's main page
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© Andy Harris
Indiana University / Purdue University, Indianapolis
email:
aharris@cs.iupui.edu
homepage:
http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris
