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Problems from Another Time

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

Peano on Wronskians: A Translation - Survey of Infinitesimal Analysis
How a translation of Peano's counterexample to the 'theorem' that a zero Wronskian implies linear dependence can help your differential equations students
The Cost of War
After a terrible battle it is found that 70% of the soldiers have lost an eye.
Inheritance of Three Sons
A man died leaving 3 sons, to whom he bequeathed his estate in the following manner: to the eldest he gave 184 dollars; to the second 155 dollars and to the third 96 dollars;
The Ant Race
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?
Weights and Measures
A certain man says that he can weigh any amount from 1 to 40 pounds using only 4 weights. What size must they be?
'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.

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