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A River-Crossing Problem in Cross-Cultural Perspective

by Marcia Ascher (Ithaca College)

This article originally appeared in:
Mathematics Magazine
February, 1990

Subject classification(s): Logic and Foundations | Logic | Mathematics History | Famous Problems
Applicable Course(s): 2.9 Math for Elementary School Teachers | 4.6 Logic/Foundations | 4.8 History of Math

The author compares an African version with the Western version of the famous river-crossing puzzle, and concludes that many mathematical ideas are of panhuman nature.

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