Cindy spent $18 on some kiwis, lemons and mangosteens in the ratio of 5 : 3 : 1. The number of kiwis was ⁵₆ the number of lemons. The ratio of the number of mangosteens to the number of lemons was 3 : 1. The kiwis were sold at 2 for a dollar.

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

Amount spent
Kiwis	Lemons	Mangosteens	Total
5 u	3 u	1 u	9 u

Total amount spent on fruits
= 5 u + 3 u + 1 u
= 9 u

9 u = 18

1 u = 18 ÷ 9 = 2

Amount that Cindy spent on kiwis
= 5 u
= 5 x 2
= $10 

Total number of kiwis that Cindy bought
= 10 x 2
= 20

Number of fruits bought
Kiwis	Lemons	Mangosteens
5x1	6x1
	1x6	3x6
5 p	6 p	18 p

The number of lemons bought is repeated.  Make the number of lemons the same.  LCM of 1 and 6 is 6.

5 p = 20

1 p = 20 ÷ 5 = 4

Total number of fruits that Cindy bought
= 5 p + 6 p + 18 p
= 29 p
= 29 x 4
= 116

(b)
Total number of lemons that Cindy bought
= 6 p
= 6 x 4
= 24

Total amount that Cindy paid for the lemons
= 3 u
= 3 x 2
= $6

Price of each lemon
= 6 ÷ 24
= $0.25 

Answer(s): (a) 116; (b) $0.25