Mathematical puzzle

[devayaani]

Can any one help me please? I have tried to solve it for many months but no success.
This puzzle was published in an old book. Apparently it is an old Indian or Chinese puzzle.
I have tried my best to put the symbol here. ( Please ignore a millimetre or so length discrepancies of my drawing these lines. Consider in the diagrams that the lines are long and short lines. All long lines are of equal length and all short lines are of equal length. It is a straight forward maths puzzle.)

If __________ _________
_____________________
_____________________ is = 6

If
_____________________
_________ _________
_________ _________ is = 1

If
_____________________
_____________________
_________ __________ is = 3

Then what is the value of the symbol

_________ __________
_________ __________
_____________________

Can any one explain how to solve this?
Many thanks in advance.

[devayaani]

Sorry for the maths puzzle diagram. When I typed it in the window it was clear. But when it is actually posted somehow it is disorted by the website.
Ignore this, please.
I will try once more to submit it and hope it will be clear to the readers.

[squarebear]

The answer is 4. It's binary code.

Imagine the top line is 1, the middle is 2 and the bottom is 4.

In the first puzzle, lines 2 and 3 are intact. The values for lines 2 and 3 is six.
In the second, only the top line is intact, so the value is one.
The third has the top two lines, 1+2=3

[squarebear]

Similar lines appear on the flag of South Korea.

[devayaani]

My apologies for the diagram not being clear in the posted window. I am describing the diagrams here because again the website might distort the diagram on which I don't have any control.
The four diagrams in this puzzle are made up of horizontal lines. The lines are short line and long lines. The arrangement of the lines is such that between short lines there is a little space. In the first diagram with a value of 6, two short lines are at the top. Below are two horizontal long lines.

In the second diagram (value = 1) the top most line is the long line. Below that are two rows of short lines.

In the third diagram ((the value = 3) the top two lines are long lines. Below them are two short lines.
In the fourth diagram (value to be deduced) the top two rows are made up of short lines. Below is the long line.
Short lines are always separated by a little space between them.
Hope this explanation will be useful if the diagrams are once again distorted by the website.)
Thanks for the trouble you have taken to read this.
If __________ _________
________________________
________________________

is = 6

If
________________________
__________ ___________
__________ ___________

is = 1

If
________________________
________________________
___________ ___________

is = 3

Then what is the value of the symbol

___________ ____________
___________ ____________
__________________________

[devayaani]

Absolutely delighted!
My thanks to you squarebear.
As I was dreading, my second attempt in drawing the lines (with more space between the short lines) once again has failed.
But, I am pleased that you have understood my puzzle despite the not clear diagram.
Your explanation is appreciated.
Your prompt solving that puzzle (believe me I had tried it for months and never thought in terms of binary system as the book said it was an ancient puzzle) has made my day.
Thank you, once again. (Yes that old book had given the answer as 4)