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Napiers Local Arithmetic Board | STEM Montessori Math Learning Tool

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Regular price$48.75

Delivery and Shipping

All standard orders normally ship within 1 business day.

Custom orders normally ship within 2 business days.

Description

John Napier was a brilliant Scottish mathematician who lived from 1550 to 1617. He developed a number of methods to simplify mathematic operations most notably logarithms but also some calculation tools like Napiers Bones and this Local Arithmetic Board. This board will allow the calculation of 2 numbers , though each number must be less than 512.

Its an amazing thing to use this board and get a sense of the history as well as the mathematics behind it.

The set comes with base, cover, and pegs. The pegs are nice quality cribbage board pegs. The set measures about 7" x 10" with the text deeply laser engraved. Wood shown in picture and video is alder, but may be varied. Peg color may also vary.

Made in our Hudson, Florida shop.

Here is an idea of how it works:

Break down numbers to be multiplied (factors) into their base 2 components. One factor goes on the right hand column and

the other on the bottom row. In the example 24 x 36, the factor 24 is composed of the numbers 16 and 8. Put pegs in the 16 hole and the 8 hole on the right column. The factor 36 is composed of the numbers 32 and 4. Put pegs in the 32 and 4 holes in the bottom row.

Starting on the upper row, move pegs diagonal left and down to the bottom row. Then add the pegs on the bottom row to get the answer. See example below for 24 x 36.

If while moving pegs diagonal, you run into another peg, then you will have 2 pegs on the same spot. The procedure is to move one peg left and discard the other. That is, if 2 pegs were on 256 from the "8" row; then move one peg to 512 and discard the other.

Materials: Wood

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Product Specifications

Dimensions
9.3 × 7.5 × 0.75
Materials
Wood
Age Range
Kids (6-8 years), Tweens (9-12 years)
What's Included
Napier's board (1), Wood pegs (51), Wood cover (1), Instructions sheet (1)
Gift Occasions
Birthday, Back to School
Personalization Available
Yes
Category
Educational Learning Tool
Availability
In Stock

Personalize It!

Did you know we can add a custom laser engraving to every puzzle and game? Well, we can. Add a personal touch to your gift with a name or message.

Personalized laser engraving

a puzzle being laser engraved with personalized text by creative crafthouse

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Napier's Local Arithmetic Board?

A handcrafted wooden math tool that multiplies two numbers using a peg-and-grid method developed by John Napier. You break each factor into base-2 components, place pegs, slide them diagonally, and read the answer.

Who was John Napier?

A Scottish mathematician who lived from 1550 to 1617. He is best known for inventing logarithms, and he also created calculating tools including Napier's Bones and this local arithmetic method.

What is location arithmetic?

It is an early form of binary calculation. Napier described performing arithmetic by moving counters on a chessboard-style grid in his 1617 work Rabdologiae, where he called it location arithmetic. It is one of the earliest recorded uses of the binary number system as a calculating aid.

How does the board work?

Break the two numbers you want to multiply into their base-2 components. Place pegs for one factor down the right column and the other along the bottom row, slide pegs diagonally down and to the left, then add the pegs on the bottom row to read the product. A worked example is included.

What is the largest calculation it can do?

Each of the two numbers must be less than 512.

What is included?

The set comes with a base, a cover, and pegs, along with the method explanation.

What kind of pegs are included?

Good-quality cribbage board pegs. Peg color may vary.

What size is the board?

About 7 by 10 inches, with the text deeply laser engraved.

What wood is it made from?

The board shown in the photos and video is alder, though the wood may vary.

Is this a good STEM or classroom tool?

Yes. It is a hands-on way to teach binary, place value, and the history of computation, and it works well for Montessori, STEM, and homeschool math.

Where is it made?

Made in our Hudson, Florida shop.

Who is this a good gift for?

Math enthusiasts, history buffs, STEM educators, homeschool families, and anyone curious about how calculation worked before calculators.

How fast do orders ship?

Standard orders typically ship within 1 business day. Personalized orders usually ship within 2 business days.