PSLE
A fruit stall sold mangosteens at 90¢ and lemons at 60¢ each. Mary bought some mangosteens and Elyse bought some lemons from the stall. Mary spent $1.50 more than Elyse, but had 2 fruits fewer than Elyse.

1. How many mangosteens did Mary buy?
2. How much did Elyse spend on the lemons?

	Mangosteens	Lemons
Number	1 u	1 u + 2
Value	0.9	0.6
Total value	0.9 u	0.6 u + 1.2

(a)
Number of mangosteens that Mary bought = 1 u
Number of lemons that Elyse bought = 1 u + 2

Amount that Mary paid = 0.9 x 1 u = 0.9 u
Amount that Elyse paid = 0.6(1 u + 2) = 0.6 u + 1.2

If Elyse spent another $1.50, both Elyse and Mary would spend the same amount.

0.9 u = 0.6 u + 1.2 + 1.5
0.9 u - 0.6 u = 1.2 + 1.5
0.3 u = 2.7

1 u = 2.7 ÷ 0.3 = 9

Number of mangosteens that Mary bought
= 1 u
= 9

(b)
Amount that Elyse spent on the lemons
= 0.6 u + 1.2
= 0.6 x 9 + 1.2
= 5.4 + 1.2
= $6.60

Answer(s): (a) 9; (b) $6.60