History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s13.93

v1.c8.s13.93

(6) A great man possessing powers of magical charm and medicine saw a cock fight going on, and spoke separately in confidential language to both the owners of the cocks. He said to one, "If your bird wins, then you give the stake-money to me. If, however, your bird loses then I shall give you two-thirds of that stake-money." He went to the owner of the other cock and promised to give three-fourths (of his stake-money on similar conditions). In each case the gain to him could be only 12 (gold-pieces). Tell me, O ornament on the head of mathematicians, the money each of the cock-owners had staked.¹