Five Easy Pieces from ancient times:
1.)The Statue of Pallas
The following inscription was on the statue of Pallas Athene: ' I, Pallas, am made of beaten gold, the gift of poets. Half was given by Kariseus, an eighth by Thespis; Solon gave a tenth, and Themison a twentieth. The remaining nine talents were the gift of Aristodicus.'
How many talents of gold were there in the statue?
2.)The Mule and the Donkey
According to legend, Euclid was the author of this puzzle. 'A mule and a donkey were carrying a load of sacks. The donkey groaned, so the mule said to him: "Why are you complaining? If you gave me one sack, I would have twice as many as you; and if I gave you one of my sacks, then we would have equal loads." '
How many sacks was each carrying?
3.) The House of Pythagoras
Polykrates the money-lender said to Pythagoras: 'Blessed Pythagoras, scion of the Muses, answer my question. How many scholars dwell in your house?'
Pythagoras replied: 'I will tell thee, Polykrates. Half of the scholars are dedicated to literature; a quarter apply themselves to the study of the wonders of nature; and one-seventh contemplate in silence. There are also three women, of whom the greatest is Theano. That is the number of scholars beneath my roof.
How many scholars were in the house of Pythagoras?
4.) The Graces and the Muse
The three Graces were carrying baskets of apples, in each basket the same number of apples. They met the nine Muses and gave them each the same number of apples, and so the nine Muses and the three Graces had each the same number.
How many apples were in each basket?
5.) Demochares has lived one-forth of his life as a boy, one-fifth as a youth, one-third as a man, and has spent thirteen years in his dotage.
How old is Demochares?