Question 22
The Bakhshālī Manuscript (300 CE) mentions the following problem. The amount given to the first person is not known. The second person is given twice as much as the first. The third person is given thrice as much as the second; and the fourth person four times as much as the third. The total amount distributed is 132. What is the amount given to the first person?
We will use an equation to find the unknown amount given to the first person.
Step 1 — Assign a variable
We need to find the amount for the first person. Let us call this unknown amount x.

Step 2 — Express amounts for others
The second person gets twice the first person's amount. So, the second person gets .
The third person gets thrice the second person's amount. So, the third person gets .
The fourth person gets four times the third person's amount. So, the fourth person gets .
Step 3 — Write the equation
The total amount distributed is 132. We add the amounts for all four people. This sum must be equal to 132.
Step 4 — Solve for x
First, we combine all the terms with x.
Now, we divide both sides by 33. This will give us the value of x.
Answer
(i) The amount given to the first person is 4.
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