Tiffany spent $54 on some pencils, staplers and markers. The number of pencils she bought was ¹₂ the number of staplers. The number of markers she bought was ³₄ the number of staplers. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the pencils, staplers and markers was 3 : 7 : 8. The staplers were sold at 4 for $7. Find the price of 1 pencil.

Amount spent
Pencils	Staplers	Markers	Total
3 u	7 u	8 u	$54

Total amount that Tiffany spent on pencils, staplers and markers
= 3 u + 7 u + 8 u
= 18 u

18 u = 54

1 u = 54 ÷ 18 = 3

Amount that Tiffany spent on staplers
= 7 u
= 7 x 3
= $21

Number of sets of staplers of 4 bought
= 21 ÷ 7
= 3

Number of staplers that Tiffany bought
= 3 x 4
= 12

Number of items bought
Pencils	Staplers	Markers	Total
1x2	2x2
	4x1	3x1
2 p	4 p	3 p	9 p

The number of staplers bought is repeated.  Make the number of staplers bought is the same.  LCM of 2 and 4 is 4.

Number of staplers that Tiffany bought = 4 p

4 p = 12

1 p = 12 ÷ 4 = 3

Number of pencils that Tiffany bought
= 2 p
= 2 x 3
= 6

Amount that Tiffany spent on pencils
= 3 u
= 3 x 3
= $9

Price of 1 pencil
= 9 ÷ 6
= $1.50

Answer(s): $1.50