Texas College Mathematics Journal

Volume 5, Number 1, Pages 1 - 4

 

 

A Solution for the Rhind Papyrus Unit Fraction Decompositions

 

Charles Dorsett

 

2000 MSC: 01A16, 11A67, 11D68

 

Key words: Early Egyptian mathematics, unit fraction decompositions

 

Abstract: The long unsolved mystery of a method for constructing the unit fraction decomposition table in the Rhind Papyrus now has a systematic solution that is consistent with the mathematical processes used in the Rhind Papyrus. The solution within this paper is the result of work done during the fall 2006.

 

Department of Mathematics, Texas A&M University – Commerce, Commerce, TX 75429

 

Email address: charles_dorsett@tamu-commerce.edu