Problems from Another Time

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

Euclid's Algorithm for the Greatest Common Divisor

Project to help discrete mathematics and computer science students learn basic properties of division and the Euclidean algorithm and its proof from Euclid himself

Sums of Powers in Discrete Mathematics: Archimedes Sums Squares in the Sand

A project to help students learn from Archimedes' writings how he summed squares

Deduction through the Ages: A History of Truth

A project to introduce students to logic and especially implication by consulting original sources from ancient to modern times

Primary Historical Sources in the Classroom: Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science

A collection of modules for teaching and learning by 'reading the masters'

An Acute Problem

Having been given the lengths, a and b, of two straight lines drawn from the acute angles of a right triangle to the middle of the opposite sides, determine the length of those sides.

Silver Cups

A lady has two silver cups, and only one cover for both. The first cup weighs 16 oz, and when it is covered it weighs 3 times as much as the second cup; but when the second cup is covered, it weighs 4 times as much as the first.

Defeated in Battle

The king of France entered into a battle and was defeated. How many soldiers did he have before he was defeated?

Water Tank Minimization

A copper water tank in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped is to made. If its length is to be a times its breadth, how high should it be that for a given capacity it should cost as little as possible?

A General Question

Suppose General [George] Washington had 800 men and was supplied with provisions to last 2 months but he needed to feed his army for 5 months.

Base 7

A number of 3 digits in base 7 has the same three digits...