Page:The Algebra of Mohammed Ben Musa (1831).djvu/138

 If he leaves three sons and two daughters, and bequeaths to some person as much as the share of a daughter plus one dirhem; and to another one-fifth of what remains from one-fourth after the deduction of the first legacy, plus one dirhem; and to a third person one-fourth of what remains from one-third after the deduction of all this, plus one dirhem; and to a fourth person one-eighth of the whole capital, requiring all the legacies to be paid off by the heirs generally: then you calculate this by exhibiting the dirhems distinctly, which is better in such a case. Take one-fourth of the capital, and assume it to be six dirhems; the entire capital will be twenty-four dirhems. Subtract one share from the one-fourth; there remain six dirhems less one share. Subtract also one dirhem; there remain five dirhems less one share. Subtract