Answer:
He lost 5 coconuts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When he divides the number left among 3 and 5 people the remainder is 2 in each case so the number that each person gets must be 15 or a multiple of 15.
So if x is the number left when he reaches home, then:
2 = x mod 3 and
2 = x mod 5
where x = 15 + 2 = 17 or 30 + 2 = 32 or 45 + 2 = 47.
But we also must satisfy 3 = x mod 4
If x = 17:
17 mod 4 = 1 so its not 17.
32 mod 4 = 0 so it's not 32.
47 mod 4 = 3 so x = 47.
Therefore the number he lost = 52 - 47 = 5.
