Page:The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, Volume I.pdf/38

22

Table:

This table can be used by the author when he wishes to take $1/undefined$ of a number that is not a multiple of 10, just as the preceding table is used when he wishes to double the reciprocal of an odd number.

The Rhind papyrus gives the table in full as above and then proves that it is correct for the numbers 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Apparently the author intended to put in only the more difficult proofs. Thus he omits the proof for 5 divided by 10 because this is the same as $1/undefined$. He also omits the proof for 4 because 4 divided by 10 is the same as 2 divided by