History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s7.24

v2.c17.s7.24

“Four merchants were each asked separately by the customs officer about the total value of their commodities. The first merchant, leaving out his own investment, stated it to be 22; the second stated it to be 23, the third 24 and the fourth 27; each of them deducted his own amount in the investment. O friend, tell me separately the value of (the share of) the commodity owned by each.”²