Problems from Another Time

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

Two ants are 100 paces apart, crawling back and forth along the same path. The first goes 1/3 pace forward a day and returns 1/4 pace; the other goes forward 1/5 pace and returns 1/6 pace. How many days before the first ant overtakes the second?

'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - First Shoots of Capitalism

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

Circle With a Chord

In a circle whose circumference is 60 units, a chord is drawn forming a segment whose sagitta is 2 units. What is the length of the chord?

Right Triangle

Given a right triangle where you know the length of the base and the sum of the perpendicular side and the hypotenuse...

Circle, Square, and Triangle

A circle, a square and an equilateral triangle all have the same perimeter equal to 1 meter. Compare their areas.

Still More Numbers

Find two numbers, x and y, such that their sum is 10 and x/y + y/x = 25

Storm's a' Brewin'

What is the perpendicular height of a cloud when its angles of elevation were 35 degrees and 64 degrees as taken by two observers?

Deer in the City

Now there are 100 deer [being distributed] in a city. If one household has one deer there is a remainder...Find the number of households in the city.

Cherry Blossom Poetry

On a day in spring a boy has gathered cherry blossoms under a cherry tree. Nearby a poet is reading some of his poems aloud. As he reads, the boy counts out the cherry blossoms, one blossom for each word of a poem.

A Successful Businessman

A certain merchant increases the value of his estate by 1/3...