Problems from Another Time

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

A horse, halving its speed each day, travels 700 miles in 7 days. How far does it travel each day?

Logarithms: The Early History of a Familiar Function - Before Logarithms: The Computational Demands of the Late Sixteenth Century

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

Another Numbers Game

Determine a number having remainders 2, 3, and 2 when divided by 3, 5, and 7 respectively.

A Horse in London

A man hired a horse in London at 3 pence a mile. He rode 94 miles due west to Bristol then due north to Chester, whence he returned toward London for 66 miles, which put him in Coventry.

Square and Round Land

As for a square piece of land that amounts to 100 square cubits, if it is said to you, "Cause it to make a piece of land that amounts to 100 square cubits that is round," what is the required diameter?

Peano on Wronskians: A Translation - Appendix 1: Student Tasks

How a translation of Peano's counterexample to the 'theorem' that a zero Wronskian implies linear dependence can help your differential equations students

Animal Customs

A fox, a wild-cat, and a hound pass through customs and together pay 111 coins.

Sick Leave

A teacher agreed to teach 9 months for $562.50 and his board. At the end of the term, on account of two months' absence caused by sickness, he received only $409.50. What was his board worth per month?

Out to Pasture

Two men rent a pasture for 100 lire on the understanding that two cows are to be counted as being equivalent to three sheep. The first puts in 60 cows and 85 sheep; the second 80 cows and 100 sheep. How much should each pay?

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - Appendix A: The Land of 'Oc'

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