Problems from Another Time

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

The king of France entered into a battle and was defeated. How many soldiers did he have before he was defeated?

A copper water tank in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped is to made. If its length is to be a times its breadth, how high should it be that for a given capacity it should cost as little as possible?

A General Question

Suppose General [George] Washington had 800 men and was supplied with provisions to last 2 months but he needed to feed his army for 5 months.

Base 7

A number of 3 digits in base 7 has the same three digits...

Chuquet's Rule of Average Numbers

Prove Chuquet's rule of average numbers.

Look Out Below!

Suppose a ladder 60 feet long is placed in a street so as to reach a window 37 feet above the ground on one side of the street...

Radii of Three Circles

Determine the radii of three equal circles described within and tangent to a given circle, and also tangent to each other.

University Payment Plan

A merchant gave a university 2,814 ducats on the understanding that he was to be paid back 618 ducats per year for 9 years, at the end of which the 2,814 ducats should be considered as paid.

Logarithms: The Early History of a Familiar Function - About the Authors and More Information on Sources

The authors recount the 'great tale' of Napier's and Burgi's parallel development of logarithms and urge you to use it in class.

Silver and Gold

There are two piles, one containing 9 gold coins, the other 11 silver coins.