Gem spent $96 on some starfruits, mangosteens and oranges in the ratio of 4 : 3 : 5. The number of starfruits was ³₅ the number of mangosteens. The ratio of the number of oranges to the number of mangosteens was 3 : 2. The starfruits were sold at 3 for a dollar.

1. How many fruits did she buy altogether?
2. How much did each mangosteen cost?

Amount spent
Starfruits	Mangosteens	Oranges	Total
4 u	3 u	5 u	12 u

Total amount spent on fruits
= 4 u + 3 u + 5 u
= 12 u

12 u = 96

1 u = 96 ÷ 12 = 8

Amount that Gem spent on starfruits
= 4 u
= 4 x 8
= $32 

Total number of starfruits that Gem bought
= 32 x 3
= 96

Number of fruits bought
Starfruits	Mangosteens	Oranges
3x2	5x2
	2x5	3x5
6 p	10 p	15 p

The number of mangosteens bought is repeated.  Make the number of mangosteens the same.  LCM of 2 and 5 is 10.

6 p = 96

1 p = 96 ÷ 6 = 16

Total number of fruits that Gem bought
= 6 p + 10 p + 15 p
= 31 p
= 31 x 16
= 496

(b)
Total number of mangosteens that Gem bought
= 10 p
= 10 x 16
= 160

Total amount that Gem paid for the mangosteens
= 3 u
= 3 x 8
= $24

Price of each mangosteen
= 24 ÷ 160
= $0.15 

Answer(s): (a) 496; (b) $0.15