Xuan spent $36 on some mangoes, pomegranates and pears in the ratio of 4 : 5 : 3. The number of mangoes was ³₅ the number of pomegranates. The ratio of the number of pears to the number of pomegranates was 4 : 1. The mangoes were sold at 5 for a dollar.

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

Amount spent
Mangoes	Pomegranates	Pears	Total
4 u	5 u	3 u	12 u

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

12 u = 36

1 u = 36 ÷ 12 = 3

Amount that Xuan spent on mangoes
= 4 u
= 4 x 3
= $12 

Total number of mangoes that Xuan bought
= 12 x 5
= 60

Number of fruits bought
Mangoes	Pomegranates	Pears
3x1	5x1
	1x5	4x5
3 p	5 p	20 p

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

3 p = 60

1 p = 60 ÷ 3 = 20

Total number of fruits that Xuan bought
= 3 p + 5 p + 20 p
= 28 p
= 28 x 20
= 560

(b)
Total number of pomegranates that Xuan bought
= 5 p
= 5 x 20
= 100

Total amount that Xuan paid for the pomegranates
= 5 u
= 5 x 3
= $15

Price of each pomegranate
= 15 ÷ 100
= $0.15 

Answer(s): (a) 560; (b) $0.15