around 1900–1700 BCE
Babylonian Metric Algebra Problems Tablet
Metric algebra problem texts
Each line of the MS 5112 tablet denotes a different mathematical problem. The problems include two ways to extend a square with a solution to complete the square (line 1) and a rectangle's area that is equal to its length plus the front solved with metric algebra (line 8).
![Babylonian Metric Algebra Problems Tablet Babylonian Metric Algebra Problems Tablet](babylonian-metric-algebra-problems-tablet-assets/image.jpg)
While the tablet originally contained 23 metric algebra problem texts, only 13 full problems and 3 partly preserved problems remain intact. However, even in fragmentary form, the tablet attests to the proficiency of the ancient Babylonians at solving simple systems of linear and quadratic equations.