Solution to one of the oldest mathematical problem found in Egyptian papyrus that dated 1000 BC

'hau and its eleventh makes nineteen, what is hau?'

hau is an unknown number. Let us represent it using 'h'

Then it can be interpreted this way:

h + 1/11 h= 19

1 1/11 h =19

12/11 h =19

h = (19 . 11)/12

h= 209/12

h = 17 5/12 ( i.e. 17 whole number, five twelveth)


Tomorrow we shall continue with story of weird mathematicians and that of tomorrow is of Nigerian origin. Guess his name and win 500 guineas!