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Rudolff's Problem

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions

Rudolff's book, called Coss, written in 1525, was the first German algebra book. The reason for the title is that cosa is a 'thing', a term used for the unknown. Algebraists were called cossists, and algebra the cossic art, for many years. Here is the problem:
A group of 20 people pay a total of £20 to see an exhibition. The admission price is £3 for men, £ 2 for women and 50p for children. How many men, women and children are there in the group?

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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