Cindy spent $18 on some oranges, apples and lemons in the ratio of 2 : 4 : 3. The number of oranges was ¹₅ the number of apples. The ratio of the number of lemons to the number of apples was 5 : 2. The oranges were sold at 2 for a dollar.

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

Amount spent
Oranges	Apples	Lemons	Total
2 u	4 u	3 u	9 u

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

9 u = 18

1 u = 18 ÷ 9 = 2

Amount that Cindy spent on oranges
= 2 u
= 2 x 2
= $4 

Total number of oranges that Cindy bought
= 4 x 2
= 8

Number of fruits bought
Oranges	Apples	Lemons
1x2	5x2
	2x5	5x5
2 p	10 p	25 p

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

2 p = 8

1 p = 8 ÷ 2 = 4

Total number of fruits that Cindy bought
= 2 p + 10 p + 25 p
= 37 p
= 37 x 4
= 148

(b)
Total number of apples that Cindy bought
= 10 p
= 10 x 4
= 40

Total amount that Cindy paid for the apples
= 4 u
= 4 x 2
= $8

Price of each apple
= 8 ÷ 40
= $0.20 

Answer(s): (a) 148; (b) $0.20