Although one might be much more inclined to engage in a conversation (and have the time to do some counting) if one overtook someone and travelled with him in the same direction for a while. -----Original Message----- From: math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dan Asimov Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 1:10 PM To: math-fun Subject: Re: [math-fun] Math PuzzlesX Oldest Ancestors Took Form on Egyptian Papyrus I always thought the St. Ives problem was a trick question: "As I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives . . .." While walking, someone one meets is usually going the opposite direction. So only "I" -- one person -- was going to St. Ives. (At least that's how it was once explained to me.) --Dan << . . . Scholars have found a few errors in the problems, and Ahmes even wrote an incorrect number in his St. Ives problem. But over all, the equations are considered remarkably accurate.
Those who sleep faster get more rest. _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun