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?
Click here to see Diophantus' actual epitaph
Solution to the Problem:
Diophantus died at age 84.
You could solve the problem using algebra
by letting x = the age of Diophantus at his death.
However, there is an easier way to solve the
problem. The only number divisible by 6, 12, and 7,
and also a number in the human lifespan is 84.
So, he spent 14 years in childhood,
seven in youth,
and 12 as a bachelor.
He married at 33, and five years afterward, at age
38, a son was born who later died at age 42, when
Diophantus was 80.
Four years after that, Diophantus himself died at
84, twice the age to which his son lived.
Correctly solved by:
| 1. Tom Marino | Winchester, VA |
| 2. Steven R. Muller | Clearbrook, VA |
| 3. Court Pifer | Winchester, VA |
| 4. Chip Crawford | Winchester, VA |