Problems from Another Time

Individual problems from throughout mathematics history, as well as articles that include problem sets for students.

The highest point of the Andes is about 4 miles above sea level.

Square

The square of a certain number multiplied by itself and by 200 is 446,976. What is the number?

A man entered an orchard through 7 gates, and there took a certain number of apples. When he left the orchard, he gave the first guard half the apples he had and 1 apple more.

Logarithms: The Early History of a Familiar Function - Appendix: Student Tasks

The authors recount the 'great tale' of Napier's and Burgi's parallel development of logarithms and urge you to use it in class.

A Family Problem

A man, woman, and two boys desire to cross a river, but their boat has weight restrictions!

Parallelepiped Chimney

The cavity of our chimney is an upright parallelepiped, the diagonal of whose base is 60"; and the height of the lower side of the lintel above the plane of the floor is 40".

But What's in the Flasks?

Thirty flasks—10 full, 10 half-empty, and 10 completely empty—are to be divided among 3 sons so that flasks and contents should be shared equally. How may this be done?

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - Background: The Abbaco Tradition

Discussion of 15th century French manuscript, with translation of its problems, including one with negative solutions

Frustum-Shaped Mound

There is a mound of earth in the shape of a frustum of a cone.

Sugar per Pound

What proportions of sugar at 8 cents, 10 cents and 14 cents per pound, will compose a mixture worth 12 cents per pound?