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Re: Ariadne's thread
Posted:
Dec 15, 2011 9:53 AM
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Franz,
Offering distractions such as:
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
'776 "
RMP 31 offers a simple algebra problem
x + (2/3 + 1/2 + 1/7)x = 33
solved by:
(1 + (28 + 21 + 6)/42)x = 33
x = 14 + 28/97
note that all 20th century scholars, Gillings, Peet, et al, agree with this phase of the problem ... however, none fairly rport Ahmes' conversion of
28/97 by solving 2/97 + 28/97
with 2/97 solved in the RMP 2/n table manner ... that scaled 2/97 by 56/56 and 26/97 by 4/4 ... scribal steps that you totally ignore by jumping from a false granary problem to a correct quotient and remainder answer.
Please transliterate each of Ahmes' problems as scholars have been doing since 1879. Your granary ring is silly.
Please correct scholarly 20th century translation errors that followed a false additive pattern ... that you oddly 'advocate' thereby 'throwing out the scribal solutions to 2/97 and 26/97 ... with a blind in one-eye failed 'experiment.
Best Regards,
Milo Gardner
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