History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v2.c17.s7.5

v2.c17.s7.5

“[Five persons possess a certain amount of riches each. The riches of the first] and the second mixed together amount to 16 ; the riches of the second and the third taken together are known to be 17 ; the riches of the third and the fourth taken together are known to be 18 ; the riches of the fourth and the fifth mixed together are 19 ; and the riches of the first and the fifth together amount to 20. Tell me what is the amount of each.”
*i.e.*, x₁ + x₂ = 16, x₂ + x₃ = 17, x₃ + x₄ = 18,
x₄ + x₅ = 19, x₅ + x₁ = 20. (2)