Math Is Fun Forum

uzurpatorul

Member

Registered: 2009-06-25

Posts: 11

Diaphatus

Diophantus, the Greek mathematician known as the "Father of Algebra", supposedly had the following inscribed on his tombstone:
"Diophantus passed 1/6th of his life in childhood, 1/12th in youth, and 1/7th more as a bachelor.
Five years after his marriage, there was born a son who died four years before his father, at half his father's age."

How old was Diophantus when he died?

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Diaphatus

Hi uzurpatorul;

Last edited by bobbym (2009-07-19 18:42:22)

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

phrontister

Real Member

From: The Land of Tomorrow

Registered: 2009-07-12

Posts: 4,876

Re: Diaphatus

That was a nice puzzle, uzurpatorul!

It took a bit of head-scratching before I could find an algebraic solution, but I finally got there.

Same answer as Bobby.

Last edited by phrontister (2009-07-21 04:42:35)

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"The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do." - Ted Nelson

guin

Member

Registered: 2013-06-09

Posts: 1

Re: Diaphatus

I've worked it out backwards, but could someone please help me with the algebraic working?

I'm getting stuck on finding an LCD...should it be 28?

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Diaphatus

Hi;

Look here first:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles/dioph … ution.html

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.