The following problem was written by Leonhard Euler: "Two persons owe conjointly 32 pistoles; they both have money, but neither of them enough to enable him, singly, to discharge this common debt." The first debtor says therefore to the second, "If you give me of your money, I can immediately pay the debt." The second answers that he also could discharge the debt, if the other would give him of his money. Required: each had how many pistoles?
A) (21, 13)
B) ( , )
C) ( , 16)
D) ( , 17)
E) inconsistent

Question

The following problem was written by Leonhard Euler: "Two persons owe conjointly 32 pistoles; they both have money, but neither of them enough to enable him, singly, to discharge this common debt." The first debtor says therefore to the second, "If you give me  of your money, I can immediately pay the debt." The second answers that he also could discharge the debt, if the other would give him  of his money. Required: each had how many pistoles? ​
A) (21, 13) 
B) ( , ) 
C) ( , 16) 
D) ( , 17) 
E) inconsistent

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of The following problem was written by Leonhard Euler: "Two persons owe conjointly 32 pistoles; they both have money, but neither of them enough to enable him, singly, to discharge this common debt." The first debtor says therefore to the second, "If you give me  of your money, I can immediately pay the debt." The second answers that he also could discharge the debt, if the other would give him  of his money. Required: each had how many pistoles? ​
A) (21, 13) 
B) ( , ) 
C) ( , 16) 
D) ( , 17) 
E) inconsistent

The Following Problem Was Written by Leonhard Euler: "Two Persons