Definition & Meaning of "Napier's bones"in English

What are "Napier's bones"?

Napier's bones are a set of rods or rectangular blocks used for multiplication and division. They were invented by John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, in the early 17th century. Each rod is marked with a series of numbers, and the rods are arranged to perform calculations by aligning them in specific ways. Napier's bones simplify multiplication by turning it into a series of addition steps, making it easier to handle large numbers. This tool was an important development in the history of mathematics and helped pave the way for later calculating devices and modern multiplication methods.