Egyptian Unit Fractions

The representation of rational numbers as sums of unit fractions
dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians.  Today this subject
survives mainly as a source of mathematical puzzles and problems in
abstract number theory, but the subject also has great historical
and anthropological interest, since it sheds light on the thought 
processes of people who lived at the very beginning of recorded 
human history.

The articles listed below are primarily concerning speculation
as to the possible methods that may have been used by the ancient
Egyptians to construct their tables.  Articles concerning the
purely number-theoretic aspects of unit fractions are contained 
in the Number Theory section of this site.


The Rhind Papyrus 2/n Table
The Akhmin Papyrus
Why Unit Fractions?