383. Three persons have a known sum of ecus each. The first gives from his ecus to the other two as much as each of them has. After him, the second gives to the other two as much as each of them has. Finally, the third gives to the other two as much as each of them has. After this, each has 8 ecus. The question is, how much money did each have at first? 50

## Ozanam's Problems.
383. The question leads to the system of equations:

$$
\begin{aligned}
x-y-z & =2 \\
3 y-x-z & =4 \\
7 z-x-y & =8
\end{aligned}
$$

from which

$$
x=13 ; y=7 ; z=4
$$

Ozanam, Jacques (1640-1717), French mathematician, author of "Cours de Mathématique" in 4 volumes and the collection of problems "Recreations mathématiques et physiques" (2nd edition published in 1788).