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Problems from Another Time

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

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.
Two persons sit down to play for a certain sum of money, and agree that the first who gets three games shall be the winner. After a few games they resolve to divide the stakes. How much should each person receive?
Two cog-wheels, one having 26 cogs, and the other 20 cogs, run together. In how many revolutions of the larger wheel will the smaller gain in 12 revolutions?
Two officers each have a company of men, the one has 40 less than the other.
A lion, a wolf and a fox each take a certain amount of time to eat a goat separately. How long would it take all these animals together to eat the goat?
Determine the different values of x, when a certain function hits a minimum.
Find two numbers with sum 20 and when squared their sum is 208.
Find the height of a window.

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