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Problems from Another Time

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

I wish to find three numbers of such nature that the first and the second with 1/2 of the third makes 20...
Age
My age is a number consisting of two digits, 1/7 of this number is a mean proportional between these two digits, and two years hence, my age will be a third proportional to the same two digits, directly as they stand in my present age.
A tree is 2 zhang tall and has a circumference of 3 chi. There is a vine that winds seven equally spaced times around the tree and reaches the top. What is the length of the vine?
How a translation of Peano's counterexample to the 'theorem' that a zero Wronskian implies linear dependence can help your differential equations students
Now there are three sisters who leave home together.
There are two columns in the ruins of Persepolis left standing upright; one is 70 ft. above the plane, and the other 50 ft;
Given: a circle with an inscribed equilateral triangle. The triangle has sides which are 12 cubits long. What is the area of the circle?
Discussion of 15th century French manuscript, with translation of its problems, including one with negative solutions
There is a garden is the shape of a rhombus whose side is 577.5 feet. Within the garden is an inscribed square flower bed whose side is 396 feet. What is the area of the garden?
A bridge is built across a river in 6 months by 45 men. It is washed away by the current. Find the number of workmen sufficient to build another of twice as much worth in 4 months.

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