Galley division

In arithmetic, the galley method, also known as the batello or the scratch method, was the most widely used method of division in use prior to 1600. The names galea and batello refer to a boat which the outline of the work was thought to resemble.

An earlier version of this method was used as early as 825 by Al-Khwarizmi. The Galley method is thought to be of Arab origin and is most effective when used on a sand abacus. However, Lam Lay Yong's research pointed out that the Galley method of division originated in the 1st century AD in ancient China.