Xavier, Howard, Ryan and Billy paid a total of $135 for a souvenir. Billy paid ⁴₅ of what the rest paid. Xavier paid 25% of what the rest paid. Howard and Ryan paid an equal amount of money. How much did Ryan pay?

Xavier	Howard	Ryan	Billy	Total
5x5			4x5	9x5
1x9	4x9			5x9
	1	1
9 u	8 u	8 u	20 u	45 u

25%= ²⁵₁₀₀= ¹₄
Xavier's share : Total share = 1 : 4

The total amount paid for the souvenir is repeated.  Make the total amount the same.  LCM of 9 and 5 is 45.

Amount that Howard, Ryan and Billy paid = 36 u

Amount that Howard and Ryan paid
= 36 u - 20 u
= 16 u

The amount that Howard and Ryan each paid is the same.

Amount that Howard and Ryan each paid
= 16 u ÷ 2
= 8 u

Cost of the souvenir = 45 u

45 u = 135

1 u = 135 ÷ 45 = 3

Amount that Ryan paid
= 8 u
= 8 x 3
= $24

Answer(s): $24