Games

Math Problems

Senet game

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Egyptian puzzlers-Facts and Problems

Using the weights and measures that the Ancient Egyptians used, we've created some fun math problems for you to try to solve. Careful, come are multi-steps!

Weight Conversions                       

1 kite .6 ounces
10 kites 1 deben
10 debens 1 sep

Measures

Cubit Length from elbow to fingertips
1 digit 1 finger’s length
28 digits 1royal cubit [about 21 in.]
4 digits 1 palm
12 digits [3 palms] 1 small span
16 digits [4 palms] 1 t`ser
24 digits [6 palms] 1 small cubit

 

Problems

#1. How many kites equal a sep?

#2.How many palms are in a Royal Cubit?

#3.The Royal boat is two hundred Royal Cubits long.  How long is it in digits?

#4.  The Royal boat weighs forty-eight seps.How much does it weigh in ounces?

#5.How many ounces are in a sep?

Bonus:

#1. One block from the Royal Pyramid weighs five seps, twenty debens, and five kites.How much does it weigh in kites?

#2.The same block from the Royal Pyramid measures five small cubits, twenty small spans, fifteen t`sers, and one Royal cubit.  How long is it in digits?

Answers

  1. 100 kites
  2. 7 palms
  3. 56,000 digits
  4. 8,000 ounces
  5. 166.66666 ounces

Bonus:

  1. 705 kites
  2. 518 digits

Senet was a popular game played in ancient Egypt. Senet is the oldest known board game. The playing rules have unfortunately been lost. Our group took the liberty in making up our own rules of Senet.

DIRECTIONS

  1. Print out game board, pieces, and bull’s-eye throwing board.
  2. Cut out game pieces, board, and throwing board.
  3. You need a dime or small coin to use throwing board.
  4. To use the bull’s eye hold your coin about a foot in the air and try to drop it in the number you wish.

THESE ARE WHAT EACH SPACE ON THE GAMEBOARD SYMBOLIZES:

 = vulture flies you ahead; 3 spaces ahead.

 

 = hit by hobble rope; lose a turn

 

 

= caught in flood; go back 3 spaces

= caught robbing pyramids; go back 5 spaces

 = warped by gods; finished with that piece

 

 

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of the game is to get from your starting point, up into the middle row, and down that row with all of your players. Use your small coin to throw into the throwing board. The outermost circle is 1 space, the next one in is 2, the next is 3, and so on, up to five. The coin will be like the Egyptian throwstick. Just print the graphics below, and you're ready for SENET!

Other Game Sites

Click here to visit an fun online game about building a pyramid.

Click here for Egyptian crossword puzzles.