MATH 201 Foundations of Math (1 st sem.

, sy 2016-17)

Problem Study No. 2

1. A Babylonian tablet has been discovered which gives the values of for n = 1 to 30.

(a.) Construct such table for n = 1 to 10.

(b.) A Babylonian problem of about 1800 B.C. seems to call for the solution of the
simultaneous system,

xyz + xy =

y=

z = 12x

Solve this system using the table in part (a).

(c.) find the roots of the cubic equation, .

2. Mathematical historians sometimes translate Babylonian cuneiform numerals in the following

manner.

= 22 , 34 , 11 ;

Using this convention, commas mark positional diversions: i.e., 601s, 602s, etc.; a semicolon
serves as a “sexagesimal point,” it divides the whole part of a number from its fractional
component. Use this technique to perform the following operations and rewrite your answer
in cuneiform notation.

(a.) –

(b.) ¥

3. The algebraic character of Babylonian geometry problem is illustrated by the following (found
on a Strassburg tablet about 1800 B.C.),

“An area A, consisting of the sum of two squares is 1,000. The side of one square is
10 less than of the side of the other square. What are the sides of the square?”

Draw a sketch and solve this problem.