Problems from Another Time

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

A certain man says that he can weigh any amount from 1 to 40 pounds using only 4 weights. What size must they be?

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

Find two numbers such that multiplying one by the other makes 8 and the sum of their squares is 27.

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?

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?

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.

How high above the earth must a person be raised that he [or she] may see 1/3 of its surface?

There is a fish whose body weighs 8 ounces. How much does the whole fish weigh?

There are two numbers which are to each other as 5 and 6 and the sum of their squares is 2196. What are the numbers?

The third part of a necklace of pearls, broken in a lover's quarrel, fell to the ground...

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