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'

Logarithms: The Early History of a Familiar Function - Before Logarithms: The Computational Demands of the Late Sixteenth Century

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

Another Numbers Game

Determine a number having remainders 2, 3, and 2 when divided by 3, 5, and 7 respectively.

A Horse in London

A man hired a horse in London at 3 pence a mile. He rode 94 miles due west to Bristol then due north to Chester, whence he returned toward London for 66 miles, which put him in Coventry.

Square and Round Land

As for a square piece of land that amounts to 100 square cubits, if it is said to you, "Cause it to make a piece of land that amounts to 100 square cubits that is round," what is the required diameter?

Peano on Wronskians: A Translation - Appendix 1: Student Tasks

How a translation of Peano's counterexample to the 'theorem' that a zero Wronskian implies linear dependence can help your differential equations students

Animal Customs

A fox, a wild-cat, and a hound pass through customs and together pay 111 coins.