Mindboggling video shows kids performing lightning-fast math calculations using the 'abacus' method

We often come across videos of people displaying their weirdest talents on the internet. However, we rarely get to see a glimpse of actual talent. In the world of shortening attention spans, two kids, reportedly from Russia, have been garnering attention on social media with their exemplary attention to detail. The children of school-going age showed their talent for doing calculations that suggestively match the speed of a computer. The video of their act, described by many online as “mind-boggling,” was shared by u/maleijn on Reddit.

In the video, two students, a boy and a girl, in school uniforms can be seen standing one after the other. In front of them, there is a giant screen projecting random numbers. All they need to do is follow the instructions and correctly do the calculations. You might think what’s so special about it? Well, the catch here is that the numbers rush through the screen within a few milliseconds.

“I didn’t even have time to read the numbers,” the caption of the video read. The first student, a teenage boy, does all the complex calculations at his fingertips. He maintains his calm demeanor as the computer in front of him keeps hurling numerical problems. People online also lauded his dressing sense, matching his confidence levels. The youth was donning quite nerdy glasses and a cap worn backward as he came up with absolutely correct results at lightning speed.

The answer “22” given by him matches what the computer screen displayed. However, it was not at all a “catch-22” situation for him. Following this, the girl student standing behind him, waiting for her turn, gets the chance to showcase her talent. Similar to the boy, she also deploys the same counting method using her hands. Notably, using fingers to perform mathematical calculations is a basic abacus technique that helps individuals, especially children, develop their mental skills.

No surprise, the middle school girl also gets the calculation right by counting at least ten two-digit numbers within six seconds. She writes 75 on the whiteboard without showing any signs of confusion or reluctance. And bingo! The result by the computer reflects the same as she smiles, looking at the camera. Additionally, it seemed that the activity, focused on mathematics, was part of some competition, as a giant trophy can also be seen placed in the classroom.

The 29-second video of children seemingly calculating at the speed of a computer has left many people amazed, receiving 11,000 upvotes on Reddit. u/BigfootCanuck noted, “The funky finger maneuvers they are performing are the result of students using an abacus for math over the years.” “It's a technique used to help with rapid memory retention. At this point, they probably don't even need it anymore, and they do it more out of habit,” remarked u/FitFreedom6850. “I'd end up with a total of 58008 if I used a calculator,” u/InevitableHamser197 jokingly said. u/Prize_Ad8201 shared, “This is an Uzbek school if anyone was wondering and they’re speaking Uzbek/Russian.” Others also lauded the children for leaving no stone unturned when it came to displaying their talent.