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Problems from Another Time

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

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - A Fair Was Serious Business
Discussion of 15th century French manuscript, with translation of its problems, including one with negative solutions
Mystery Numbers
Find two numbers such that multiplying one by the other makes 8 and the sum of their squares is 27.
Provisions
If 80 dollars worth of provisions will serve 20 men for 25 days, what number of men will the same amount of provisions serve for 10 days?
Ratio of Areas of Two Circles
If an arc of 45 degrees on one circumference is equal to an arc of 60 degrees on another circle, what is the ratio of the areas of the circles?
What is a Bowsprit?
A vessel is anchored in 3 fathoms of water and the cable passes over a sheave in the bowsprit which is 6 ft above the water.
Flying High
How high above the earth must a person be raised that he [or she] may see 1/3 of its surface?
Small Fish
There is a fish whose body weighs 8 ounces. How much does the whole fish weigh?
Perpendicular Curves
Show that the curves x2 - y2 = a2 and 2 xy = b2 cross at right angles.
A Hole in One?
A barrel has various holes in it. The first hole empties the barrel in three days...
Out to Pasture 2
X, Y and Z hired a pasture for the season for $90.00. Each has a different number of mules and are on the pasture for a different number of days. How much is each to pay?

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