Sarah spent ¹₈ of her money on some highlighters. She spent ³₇ of the remaining money on some pens and ³₄ of what was left on some pencils.

1. What fraction of her money was spent on pencils?
2. Given that the highlighters cost $8 less than the pencils, find the sum of money that Sarah spent.

Highlighters	Remaining money
1	7
	Pens	Left
	3	4
		Pencils	Rest
1 u	3 u	3 u	1 u

(a)
Fraction of money left after spending on the highlighters
= 1 - ¹₈
= ⁷₈

Fraction of remaining money after spending on the pens
= 1 - ³₇
= ⁴₇

Fraction of what was left after spending on the pencils
= 1 - ³₄
= ¹₄

Fraction of money that was spent on pencils = ³₈

(b)
Amount that Sarah spent on the highlighters = 1 u
Amount that Sarah spent on the pencils = 3 u

Amount that the highlighters cost less than the pencils
= 3 u - 1 u
= 2 u

2 u = 8

1 u = 8 ÷ 2 = 4

Amount that Sarah sent
= 1 u + 3 u + 3 u
= 7 u
= 7 x 4
= $28

Answer(s): (a) ³₈; (b) $28