History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s14.14

v1.c8.s14.14

(4) A number of parrots descended on a paddy field, beautiful with crops bent down through the weight of ripe corn. Being scared away by men, all of them suddenly flew off. One-half of them went to the east, one-sixth went to the south-east; the difference between those that went to the east and those that went to the south-east, diminished by half of itself and again diminished by half of this (resulting difference), went to the south. The difference between those that went to the south and those that went to the south-east diminished by two-fifths of itself went to the south-west; the difference between those that went to the south and those that went to the south-west, went to the west; the difference between those that went to the south-west and those that went to the west, together with three-sevenths of itself went to the north-west; the difference between those that went to the north-west and those that went to the west together with seven-eighths of itself, went to the north; the sum of those that went to the north-west and those that went to the north, diminished by two-thirds of itself went to the north-east; and 280 parrots were found to remain in the sky above. How many were the parrots in all?¹