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  Learning the proper abacus bead movements is the first step in developing good mental calculation skills, also known as mental math. Knowing the appropriate soroban bead movements is fundamental to the idea of mental calculation. Fast & accurate mental calculation requires more than just understanding how to shift the beads. In order to perform mental calculations, the right part of the brain must first create vivid mental imagery. Due to the frequent sensory touch input delivered to the brain by the fingers sliding the physical beads, regular practice with the physical soroban generates potent visual impressions. The student's attention will shift from the physical soroban to the needed mechanical bead motions as the student improves their speed and accuracy. With practice at   Mental Math classes , pupils' fingers build muscle memory, and they do not need to consciously plan out each individual motion. After mastering the limited repertoire of abacus bead motions, stud...