
Rudolff's book, called Coss, written in 1525, was the first
German algebra book. The reason for the title is that cosa is a
'thing', a term used for the unknown. Algebraists were called
cossists, and algebra the cossic art, for many years. Here is the
problem:
A group of 20 people pay a total of £ 20 to see an exhibition.
The admission price is £ 3 for men, £ 2 for women and 50p
for children. How many men, women and children are there in the
group?
Published September 1999.