Olivia spent $126 on some staplers, pencils and markers. The number of staplers she bought was ¹₂ the number of pencils. The number of markers she bought was ²₅ the number of pencils. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the staplers, pencils and markers was 5 : 5 : 8. The pencils were sold at 4 for $7. Find the price of 1 stapler.

Amount spent
Staplers	Pencils	Markers	Total
5 u	5 u	8 u	$126

Total amount that Olivia spent on staplers, pencils and markers
= 5 u + 5 u + 8 u
= 18 u

18 u = 126

1 u = 126 ÷ 18 = 7

Amount that Olivia spent on pencils
= 5 u
= 5 x 7
= $35

Number of sets of pencils of 4 bought
= 35 ÷ 7
= 5

Number of pencils that Olivia bought
= 5 x 4
= 20

Number of items bought
Staplers	Pencils	Markers	Total
1x5	2x5
	5x2	2x2
5 p	10 p	4 p	19 p

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

Number of pencils that Olivia bought = 10 p

10 p = 20

1 p = 20 ÷ 10 = 2

Number of staplers that Olivia bought
= 5 p
= 5 x 2
= 10

Amount that Olivia spent on staplers
= 5 u
= 5 x 7
= $35

Price of 1 stapler
= 35 ÷ 10
= $3.50

Answer(s): $3.50