History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s17.t5.22

v2.c17.s17.t5.22

" 'Any arbitrary number is the first.' Suppose it to be 12. Then with the optional number unity, are obtained the numbers (12, 95/2). For *integral values*, they are doubled (24, 95). With the optional number 2, are obtained (12, 20). It being possible, these are reduced by the common factor 4 to (3, 5). In this way, owing to the varieties of the optional number, an infinite number of solutions can be obtained."²