Egyptian algebra

There are limited surviving examples of ancient Egyptian algebraic problems.

Problem 19 asks one to calculate a quantity taken 1 and one-half times and added to 4 to make 10.

[1] In modern mathematical notation, this linear equation is represented: Solving these Aha problems involves a technique called method of false position.

A pefsu measures the strength of the beer made from a heqat of grain.

A higher pefsu number means weaker bread or beer.

For example, problem 8 translates as: The use of the Horus eye fractions shows some (rudimentary) knowledge of geometrical progression.