Problems from Another Time

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

Rabbits and pheasants are put in a basket.

What is the sum of the following series, carried to infinity: 11, 11/7, 11/49, etc.?

A father left $20,000 to be divided among his four sons aged 6, 8, 10, and 12 years respectively, so that each share placed at 4 1/2 percent compounded interest should amount to the same value when its possessor becomes the age 21.

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - About the Author / Acknowledgments

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

Washing the Dishes

An official asks a woman why she has so many bowls to wash. The woman explains that she had dinner guests who ate meat, rice, and soup. Judging by the number of bowls, how many guests were there?

Height of the Lighthouse

Suppose a lighthouse is built on the top of a rock; the distance between a place of observation and that part of the rock level with the eye is 620 yds.

Apples and Oranges and Peaches

If 40 oranges are worth 60 apples, and 75 apples are worth 7 dozen peaches, and 100 peaches are worth 1 box of grapes and three boxes of grapes are worth 40 pounds of pecans, how many pounds of pecans can be bought for 100 oranges?

Drinking Wine by the Barrel

A man and his wife drink a barrel of wine at different rates.

Elephant Hunt

On an expedition to seize his enemy's elephants, a king marched 2 yojanas the first day.

Water in a Fish Pond

There is a round fish pond of certain dimensions, and into the pond is dropped a marble column. How high will the water rise?