When was abascus the used to calculate figures?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

The effect of computers and instant communication technology has been far reaching ever since its development. Tremendous amounts of information can be stored in a small space which is amazing! Not only does a computer allow a person to attempt complex mathematical problems with ease but it also helps the users to communicate with one another through various social websites, forums and blogs. Today, personal computers can be used for performing a variety of tasks. It allows the user to store various multimedia and essential documents to suit the user’s demand. But they were surprisingly not built for such tasks. They were in fact designed to help a person calculate figures; the problem which dates back to 2000 B.C. when it was done with the help of the abacus. Ever since its invention by Charles Babbage, computers have really made everything convenient and even the most complex calculations can be solved instantaneously. Computers also transformed the manner in which we communicate with the society. People can now talk to one another with the use of social networking sites and live video chats. In a way, recent advancements in communication have evolved the world, which no one would have ever imagined fifty years ago.