One of the earliest written documents of mathematics is the Rhind Papyrus. This tablet was found in Egypt in 1858, but it is estimated that the writings date back to 1650 B.C.
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The Rhind Papyrus contains more than 80 problems. A study of these problems has enabled mathematicians and scientists to understand some of the methods by which the early Egyptians used mathematics.
Evidence gained from the Rhind Papyrus shows that the Egyptian method of calculating with fractions was much different from the methods used today. All fractions were represented in terms of what are called "unit fractions." A unit fraction is a fraction in which the numerator is 1.
