Xylia spent $21 on some kiwis, persimmons and mangoes in the ratio of 2 : 4 : 1. The number of kiwis was ³₅ the number of persimmons. The ratio of the number of mangoes to the number of persimmons was 2 : 1. The kiwis were sold at 4 for a dollar.

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

Amount spent
Kiwis	Persimmons	Mangoes	Total
2 u	4 u	1 u	7 u

Total amount spent on fruits
= 2 u + 4 u + 1 u
= 7 u

7 u = 21

1 u = 21 ÷ 7 = 3

Amount that Xylia spent on kiwis
= 2 u
= 2 x 3
= $6 

Total number of kiwis that Xylia bought
= 6 x 4
= 24

Number of fruits bought
Kiwis	Persimmons	Mangoes
3x1	5x1
	1x5	2x5
3 p	5 p	10 p

The number of persimmons bought is repeated.  Make the number of persimmons the same.  LCM of 1 and 5 is 5.

3 p = 24

1 p = 24 ÷ 3 = 8

Total number of fruits that Xylia bought
= 3 p + 5 p + 10 p
= 18 p
= 18 x 8
= 144

(b)
Total number of persimmons that Xylia bought
= 5 p
= 5 x 8
= 40

Total amount that Xylia paid for the persimmons
= 4 u
= 4 x 3
= $12

Price of each persimmon
= 12 ÷ 40
= $0.30 

Answer(s): (a) 144; (b) $0.30