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Problems from Another Time

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

Cow Dilemma
Suppose that for every 4 cows a farmer has, he should plow 1 acre of land, and allow 1 acre of pasture for every 3 cows; how many cows could he keep on 140 acres?
Peano on Wronskians: A Translation
How a translation of Peano's counterexample to the 'theorem' that a zero Wronskian implies linear dependence can help your differential equations students
The Rat Race
Now there is a wall 5 feet thick and two rats tunnel from opposite sides.
The Incircle of a Triangle
The incircle O(r) of triangle ABC touches AB at D, BC at E and AC at F. Find r in terms of AD, BE and CF.
 
Numbers Game #2
Given a number, take 1/3 of the number away from itself and also remove 2. If this result is multiplied by itself, it equals the number plus 24. What is the number?
Cat on a Hot Tin Wall
A cat sitting on a wall 4 cubits high saw a rat prowling 8 cubits from the foot of the wall.
'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - Currency Exchange
Discussion of 15th century French manuscript, with translation of its problems, including one with negative solutions
Three Piles of Rice
Now a pile of rice is against a wall with a base circumference 60 chi and an altitude of 12 chi.
Horses to Qi
Now a good horse and an inferior horse set out from Chang'an to Qi. Qi is 3000 li from Chang'an.
Beyond the Call of Duty
Given a guest on horseback rides 300 li in a day. The guest leaves his clothes behind. The host discovers them after 1/3 day, and he starts out with the clothes.

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