Solving the Papyrus Problems in Civilization 7: Complete Guide

Civilization 7 offers an intricate gameplay experience that challenges players to navigate through numerous decisions, each carrying its own set of advantages and repercussions. Among these challenges, the game presents direct questions that can yield either bonuses or penalties based on the player’s answers. One of the most frequently encountered questions pertains to the “Papyrus Problems, ”which appears as players approach the culmination of the Antiquity era. Below, we delve into the specifics of this inquiry and clarify the rationale behind the correct response.

Unraveling the Papyrus Problem: The Right Answer

Papyrus Problem in Civilization 7 — Image courtesy of Prima Games

The central question presented is: “What is the sum of the enumerated things?” This query refers to the narrative: “There are seven houses, and each house possesses seven cats. Each cat captures seven mice, and every mouse consumes seven grains of barley, with each grain capable of yielding seven gallons of cereal.”

Your choices are limited to two possible answers: 16, 807 or 19, 607. Initially, one might quickly compute 7⁵ to arrive at 16, 807. However, this calculation is incorrect.

Papyrus Question Wrong Answer — Image courtesy of Prima Games

After a few turns, I received an alert indicating that my initial answer was inaccurate. Correctly answering this question rewards you with a generous bonus of +100 Science, which can be significant given the game’s complexity.

The correct answer is 19, 607. The solution involves calculating the sum: 7¹ + 7² + 7³ + 7⁴ + 7⁵ = 19, 607. Interestingly, this problem is derived from Problem 79 of the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, dating back to around 1550 BCE. To find the total, you must compute the sum of a geometric series consisting of five components—houses, cats, mice, grains of barley, and cereal—where each term is seven, and the common ratio is also seven, culminating in a total of 19, 607.

Who would have thought that playing a video game could teach you both mathematical concepts and historical insight?

Conversely, if you happen to answer incorrectly, you will face a happiness penalty for your civilization. To alleviate this negative impact, consider establishing settlements in proximity to freshwater sources, such as rivers and lakes. This strategy can mitigate the unhappiness related to the unavailability of fresh water.

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