Area
In this section we have problems that deal with the areas of certain spaces.
Problem 53 is the most interesting on the Papyrus and the only one with a diagram, but as it is poorly explained instead I will give problem 52 as an example.
Example:
Problem 52: Example of a cut-off (truncated) triangle of land. Suppose it is said to thee, What is the are of a cutt-off triangle of land of 20 khet in its side, 6 khet in its base, 4 khet in its cut-off line?
Add its base to its cut-off line; it makes 10. Take 1/2 of 10, that is 5, in order to get its rectangle. Multiply 20 times 5; it makes 10 (10 ten-setat). This is the area.
Do it thus:
1 becomes 1,000
1/2 becomes 500
\1 becomes 2,000
2 becomes 4,000
\4 becomes 8,000
Total: 10,000
Thus the area is 100 setat (10 ten-setat).
changed November 14, 2008