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Problems from Another Time

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

Euclid's Algorithm for the Greatest Common Divisor
Project to help discrete mathematics and computer science students learn basic properties of division and the Euclidean algorithm and its proof from Euclid himself
Sums of Powers in Discrete Mathematics: Archimedes Sums Squares in the Sand
A project to help students learn from Archimedes' writings how he summed squares
Deduction through the Ages: A History of Truth
A project to introduce students to logic and especially implication by consulting original sources from ancient to modern times
Primary Historical Sources in the Classroom: Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science
A collection of modules for teaching and learning by 'reading the masters'
Oracle for Rent
An oracle ordered a prince to build a sacred building, whose space would be 400 cubits, the length being 6 cubits more than the width, and the width 3 cubits more than the height. Find the dimensions of the building.
'He Advanced Him 200 Lambs of Gold': The Pamiers Manuscript - Acceptance of Negative Solutions
Discussion of 15th century French manuscript, with translation of its problems, including one with negative solutions
An Inscribed Ellipse
Given right triangle ABC where C is the right angle, ellipse O (a,b) is inscribed in it, with its major axis parallel to BC. Calculate the semi-major axis, a, in terms of AC, BC and b.
Viete: Triangle II
In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is 13 and the sum of the sides around the right angle is 17. Find the lengths of the sides around the right angle.
Travelling Steamers
The steamer, Katie, leaves the wharf at New Orleans and runs an average speed of 15 mph. When Katie had gone 25 miles, the steamer R.E. Lee leaves the wharf and runs the average speed of 18 mph. How far will the Lee go before she overtakes the Katie?
Reverse the Digits
The sum of the two digits of a 2-digit number is 9. If 45 is subtracted from the number, the result will be expressed by the digits in reverse order. Find the number.

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