Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Rhind papyrus
ancient Egyptian scroll
Also known as: Ahmes papyrus
An important record of ancient Egyptian mathematicsThe Rhind papyrus is a document that has been central to understanding ancient Egyptian mathematics. It is also represents one of the earliest documented references to puzzles, which take the form of dozens of math problems.
Rhind papyrus, ancient Egyptian scroll bearing mathematical tables and problems. This extensive document from ancient Egypt has been the source of much information about Egyptian mathematics. The papyrus was bought in 1858 in a Nile resort town by a Scottish antiquary, Alexander Henry Rhind, hence its name; less frequently, it is called the Ahmes papyrus in honor of the scribe who copied it about 1650 bce.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.