PSLE
A fruit stall sold limes at 70¢ and coconuts at 50¢ each. Zoe bought some limes and Irene bought some coconuts from the stall. Zoe spent $0.90 more than Irene, but had 3 fruits fewer than Irene.

1. How many limes did Zoe buy?
2. How much did Irene spend on the coconuts?

	Limes	Coconuts
Number	1 u	1 u + 3
Value	0.7	0.5
Total value	0.7 u	0.5 u + 1.5

(a)
Number of limes that Zoe bought = 1 u
Number of coconuts that Irene bought = 1 u + 3

Amount that Zoe paid = 0.7 x 1 u = 0.7 u
Amount that Irene paid = 0.5(1 u + 3) = 0.5 u + 1.5

If Irene spent another $0.90, both Irene and Zoe would spend the same amount.

0.7 u = 0.5 u + 1.5 + 0.9
0.7 u - 0.5 u = 1.5 + 0.9
0.2 u = 2.4

1 u = 2.4 ÷ 0.2 = 12

Number of limes that Zoe bought
= 1 u
= 12

(b)
Amount that Irene spent on the coconuts
= 0.5 u + 1.5
= 0.5 x 12 + 1.5
= 6 + 1.5
= $7.50

Answer(s): (a) 12; (b) $7.50