töflureikna

Töflureikna is an Icelandic term that translates to "board calculator" or "table calculator". It refers to a specific type of abacus, particularly one that was used for mathematical calculations in Iceland. These abaci were often made of wood and featured sliding beads or counters that were arranged on a board or within a frame. The design of töflureikna varied, but they generally allowed for performing basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

The use of töflureikna was common in Iceland for everyday accounting, trade, and education before the widespread adoption of mechanical and electronic calculators. These devices were practical tools that facilitated numerical tasks in a pre-digital era. The term itself highlights the physical form of the calculator, emphasizing its tabular or board-like structure. While not as widely known as some other forms of abacus, the töflureikna represents a significant part of Iceland's mathematical and commercial history, demonstrating the ingenuity of people in finding practical solutions for calculation.