Date: Dec 15, 2011 11:53 AM Author: Milo Gardner Subject:
Egyptian fraction math only used quotient and remainder
statements Franz, and list members: Franz offers a distraction
quoted by: "I don't know what problem number 31 of the Rhind
Mathematical Papyrus has to do with Mayan astronomy, but if I
must I can also shed light on this problem. In my opinion, the
Rhind Mathematical Papyrus offers problems that can be solved on
several level. On the first level, beginners learn how to handle
unit fraction series. On the advanced level they are asked to
solve more demanding problems, and on the highest level they are
being told about theoretical insights. RMP 31 on the advanced
level is about a geometrical problem, it offers a fine example
of Egyptian wit, plus a theoretical insight: RMP 31 - a granary
on a ring 33 divided by 1 "3 '2 '7 equals 14 '4 '56 '194 '388
'679 Since 1879 it has been clear that RMP 31 offered a simple
algebra problem x + (2/3 + 1/2 + 1/7)x = 33 (1 + (28 + 21 +
6)/42)x = 33 x = 14 + 28/97 It