History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s7.14

v2.c17.s7.14

**Second Type.** A particular case of the type of equations (I) for which n = 3, may also be looked upon as belonging to a different type of systems of linear equations, *viz.*, $Σ x - x₁ = a₁, Σ x - x₂ = a₂, , Σ x - x_n = a_n, II$ where Σ x stands for x₁ + x₂ + + x_n. But it will not be proper to say that equations of this type have been treated in the Bakhshâlî treatise.¹ They have, however, been solved by Âryabhaṭa (499) and Mahâvîra (850). The former says: