Title page, Adam Ries, "Rechnung auff der Linihen und Feder"

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Date
1533
Keywords
Ries, Adam; Hand calculation; Mechanical calculation; Counting board; Table Abacus
Object ID
500004226

A table-abacus competes against longhand calculations using “Arabic” numerals, which were still new in Europe. Either one could trounce calculating by hand with Roman numerals—but which was faster? Are the coins a wager on the outcome?