<Tr> <Td> Total </Td> <Td> 19,607 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Total </Td> <Td> 19,607 </Td> </Tr> <P> The problem appears to be an illustration of an algorithm for multiplying numbers . The sequence 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 appears in the right - hand column, and the terms 2,801, 2 × 2,801, 4 × 2,801 appear in the left; the sum on the left is 7 × 2,801 = 19,607, the same as the sum of the terms on the right . The equality of the two geometric sequences can be stated as the equation (2 + 2 + 2) (7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7) = 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7, which relies on the coincidence 2 + 2 + 2 = 7 . </P> <P> Note that the author of the papyrus listed a wrong value for the fourth power of 7; it should be 2,401, not 2,301 . However, the sum of the powers (19,607) is correct . </P> <P> The problem has been paraphrased by modern commentators as a story problem involving houses, cats, mice, and grain, although in the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus there is no discussion beyond the bare outline stated above . The hekat was ​ ⁄ of a cubic cubit (approximately 4.8 l or 1.1 imp gal or 1.3 US gal). </P>

As i was on my way to st. ives