Page:The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, Volume I.pdf/69

2÷35] 2 divided by 29

Get 2 by operating on 29. $1/undefined$ of 29 is 1$1/undefined$$1/undefined$,$1/undefined$ of 29 is $1/undefined$. $1/undefined$ of 29 is $1/undefined$, $1/undefined$ of 29 is $1/undefined$.

Working out:

2 divided by 31

$1/undefined$ of 31 is 1 $1/undefined$$1/undefined$, $1/undefined$ of 31 is $1/undefined$, $1/undefined$ of 31 is $1/undefined$.

2 divided by 33

$1/undefined$ of 33 is 1$1/undefined$, $1/undefined$ of 33 is $1/undefined$.

2 divided by 35

2 times $1/undefined$ is $1/undefined$$1/undefined$. For $1/undefined$ applied to 210 gives 6; and 2 times 6 is 12, or 7 and 5, which are $1/undefined$ and $1/undefined$ of 210.

This example is explained in the Introduction, page 18. In the papyrus, following his usual practice when applying fractions to a particular number, the author writes 6, 7,and 5 under the 35, $1/undefined$, and $1/undefined$ of the first line.