The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art is a Chinese Maths book composed by several generations of scholars from the 10th – 2nd century BCE.
In 263 CE Lui Hui wrote a commentary on the book including the methods used and reasons for these methods!
One of the problems which, whilst difficult, is something a secondary student could solve by forming and solving a set of simultaneous equations.
Hint: Let x be the weight of a gold coin…and y be the weight of a silver coin. Try and form two equations in x and y….
Will post the solution later today!
This is a great Transition Year question where you have time to allow students to explore methods of solving. A little more digging into the book and you can find a great 3 variable simultaneous equation about types of corn!!