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Question Suppose you are using the number system that uses sticks to represent numbers, as in Method 1. Without using either the number names or the numerals of the Hindu number system, give a method for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing two numbers or two collections of sticks.
Suppose there are two groups of sheep. The first group has 6 sheep and the second has 4 sheep. We have counted using pebbles. To add, put all pebbles in the same pouch. To subtract, take out as many pebbles as in the pouch having fewer pebbles from the pouch having more pebbles. Now, suppose we wish to know how many sheep will be twice the number in the first group. For this, we count twice using pebbles and put all the pebbles in the same pouch. Suppose we have 12 pebbles and want to divide them into three equal groups. We put them one by one in three bowls till we exhaust all. The number of pebbles in each bowl gives the quotient.