Jane spent $36 on some starfruits, chikoos and mangosteens in the ratio of 2 : 3 : 4. The number of starfruits was ²₃ the number of chikoos. The ratio of the number of mangosteens to the number of chikoos was 3 : 2. The starfruits were sold at 5 for a dollar.

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

Amount spent
Starfruits	Chikoos	Mangosteens	Total
2 u	3 u	4 u	9 u

Total amount spent on fruits
= 2 u + 3 u + 4 u
= 9 u

9 u = 36

1 u = 36 ÷ 9 = 4

Amount that Jane spent on starfruits
= 2 u
= 2 x 4
= $8 

Total number of starfruits that Jane bought
= 8 x 5
= 40

Number of fruits bought
Starfruits	Chikoos	Mangosteens
2x2	3x2
	2x3	3x3
4 p	6 p	9 p

The number of chikoos bought is repeated.  Make the number of chikoos the same.  LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.

4 p = 40

1 p = 40 ÷ 4 = 10

Total number of fruits that Jane bought
= 4 p + 6 p + 9 p
= 19 p
= 19 x 10
= 190

(b)
Total number of chikoos that Jane bought
= 6 p
= 6 x 10
= 60

Total amount that Jane paid for the chikoos
= 3 u
= 3 x 4
= $12

Price of each chikoo
= 12 ÷ 60
= $0.20 

Answer(s): (a) 190; (b) $0.20