There is a short passage in this week’s parsha that leads to a nice math problem. It is found in Bamidbar 7:3-9. Here is a summary:

The tribal leaders bring donations for the Mishkan using 6 wagons and 12 oxen.

Hashem tells Moshe to give those wagons and oxen to the Levite families, each according to its needs. The families needed the wagons and oxen to transport the Mishkan.

Moshe gives 2 wagons and 4 oxen to the Gershoni family.

Moshe gives 4 wagons and 8 oxen to the Merari family.

Moshe does not give any wagons or oxen to the Kahati family.

The Torah explains why the Kehati family did not get any wagons or oxen. Their job was too holy for wagons and oxen. The Kahati family carried the holiest items of the Mishkan on their shoulders. These items included the Aron and Menorah.

1. So I get why the Kahati family did not get any wagons or oxen. Their work was too holy. But why did the Merari family get more wagons and oxen than the Gershoni family? The tribal leaders brought 6 wagons and 12 oxen. An even split would be 3 wagons and 6 oxen. It seems so unfair to the Gersoni family.

Actually, it is fair. When Hashem told Moshe to give the wagons to the Levite families, He specified “… each [Levite family] according to its work.” (Sefer Bamidbar 7:5). The Merari family transported much heavier parts of the Mishkan than the Gershoni family. That is why they received more wagons and oxen. You can read the details at the very beginning of this week’s parsha (Bamidbar 4:21-32).

Here are 2 math questions about the wagons and oxen.

1. Just focus on the wagons for this question. How much heavier were the Merari family’s parts of the Mishkan than the Gershoni family’s parts? Answer using a ratio.
2. How many oxen pulled each wagon?

Solution:

1. The Merari family got 4 wagons and the Gershoni family got 2 wagons. The ratio is 4/2 = 2. So the Merari family’s parts of the Mishkan were twice as heavy as the Gershoni family’s parts.
2. Each wagon was pulled by 2 oxen. This is true for both families. The Merari family had 8 wagons and 4 oxen. Eight oxen divided among 4 wagons is 2 oxen per wagon. The Gershoni family had 2 wagons and 4 oxen. Four oxen divided among 2 wagons is 2 oxen per wagon.

Shabbat Shalom.

Ari Blinder is a math educator living in Highland Park, New Jersey. He is the owner of Math for the Masses, an innovative tutoring and consulting company. Please visit www.math4masses.com for fun activities and helpful worksheets. Ari can be reached at [email protected]. Never think you are “not a math person.” You are very much one already, but no one has shown you how.