Problems from Another Time

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

Cat on a Hot Tin Wall

A cat sitting on a wall 4 cubits high saw a rat prowling 8 cubits from the foot of the wall.

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - Currency Exchange

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

Three Piles of Rice

Now a pile of rice is against a wall with a base circumference 60 chi and an altitude of 12 chi.

Horses to Qi

Now a good horse and an inferior horse set out from Chang'an to Qi. Qi is 3000 li from Chang'an.

Beyond the Call of Duty

Given a guest on horseback rides 300 li in a day. The guest leaves his clothes behind. The host discovers them after 1/3 day, and he starts out with the clothes.

Man Crossing a Bridge

A man is walking across a bridge, when a boat passes under the bridge.How rapidly are the boat and the pedestrian separating after the boat passes under the bridge?

8th Grade Education in 1895

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895

Creatures with Four or Six Heads

Now there are six-headed four-legged animals and four-headed two-legged birds. Find the total number of animals and birds.

A Dangerous Castle Indeed

A castle has n rooms each of which has 7 samurai in it.

Difference of Squares

Having been given the sum of two numbers, a, and the difference of their squares, b, find the numbers.