If the heirs are a husband and six daughters, the spousal case is based on four, while the return case is based on six. We give the husband his due, one share, leaving three. We cannot say that each daughter receives half of one share, for fractions are not recognized in inheritance calculations; therefore, the case must be adjusted.

Accordingly, we say: the husband receives one quarter, one share, leaving three. The return case is based on six. Divide three by six: it does not divide evenly. What then should we do? We say that six and three share a common factor of one third, so we reduce six to one third of it, namely two. We multiply two by the base of the case, four, making eight. The husband’s one share multiplied by two is two shares, and the daughters’ three shares multiplied by two are six, leaving one share for each daughter.

In summary, concerning return: if anything remains after the prescribed shares have been allotted, it is returned to the prescribed-share heirs, each in proportion to his or her prescribed share. If the return heirs belong to one category, their case is based on their number. If they belong to several categories, the base of the case is six; it then settles according to the point at which the prescribed shares end: if they end at two, it is based on two; if at three, then on three; if at four, then on four; and if at five, then on five. If it is six, this means that the case is balanced. If one of the spouses is also present, first adjust the spousal case, then adjust the return case, and divide the remainder after the spousal share by the return case. It will either divide evenly, have a common factor, or be relatively prime.