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A discussion of the meaning of mathematical unsolvability in the context of the history of Abel's proof of the unsolvability of the quintic equation in terms of radicals.

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.

Van Schooten's Ruler Constructions

A translation of and commentary on Frans van Schooten's work on constructions using only a straightedge. Van Schooten's postulates for use of the straightedge, however, allow the copying of one line segment onto another.

A Family Problem

A man, woman, and two boys desire to cross a river, but their boat has weight restrictions!

To Each His Due

A man has four creditors. To the first he owes 624 ducats; to the second, 546; to the third, 492; and to the fourth 368.

Maya Cycles of Time

History of Maya calendars, including the modified base 20 number system used in them.

Rifle Ball Through a Three-Inch Plank

A rifle ball is fired through a three-inch plank, the resistance of which causes an unknown constant retardation of its velocity.

Frans van Schooten's Exercitationes mathematicae

This is page 167 from the Exercitationes mathematicae (1657) of Frans van Schooten (1615-1660). This book contained a collection of mathematical construction problems, among much else. It was one of the books read by Isaac Newton while he was a student at Cambridge University and helped to introduce him to modern mathematics. On this page we see a construction enabling one to find the distance across a river.

Find the Two Numbers

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

Leonardo da Vinci's Geometric Sketches

This is a collection of plates that Leonardo da Vinci created to illustrate De divina proportione of Luca Pacioli.