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    The News page aggregates recent algebra-related articles from journals, university sites, education outlets, and competition coverage. It highlights new research, curriculum changes, competition results, and announcements relevant to the algebra community.

    1.
    Scientific American
    scientificamerican.com > game > math-puzzle-ancient-city

    Math Puzzle: The Ancient City

    19+ hour, 54+ min ago (239+ words) Math Puzzle: The Ancient City The mathematician, who liked to annoy friends with improvised brainteasers, thought for a moment or two, then raised a glass and recited: A rose-red city half as old as Time.One billion years ago the city's ageWas just two fifths of what Time's age will beA billion years from now. Can you computeHow old the crimson city is today? The English professor had long ago forgotten algebra and quickly shifted the conversation to another topic, but readers of this department should have no difficulty with the problem. The rose-red city's age is seven billion years. Let x be the city's present age and y be the present age of Time. A billion years ago the city would have been x " 1 billion years old, and a billion years from now Time's age will be y + 1. The…...