Problems from Another Time

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

Of a collection of mango fruits, the king took 1/6; the queen 1/5 the remainder, and the three princes took 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 (of the same remainder); and the youngest child took the remaining 3 mangoes.

Apes in a Forest

In a forest, a number of apes equal in number to the square of 1/8 of the total number of apes are noisy. The remaining 12 apes are on a nearby hill irritated. What is the total number of apes in the pack?

The Square and the Cube

A number is required; that the square shall be equal to twice the cube.