Hilda spent $190 on some pencils, pens and files. The number of pencils she bought was ¹₂ the number of pens. The number of files she bought was ³₄ the number of pens. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the pencils, pens and files was 6 : 8 : 5. The pens were sold at 2 for $10. Find the price of 1 pencil.

Amount spent
Pencils	Pens	Files	Total
6 u	8 u	5 u	$190

Total amount that Hilda spent on pencils, pens and files
= 6 u + 8 u + 5 u
= 19 u

19 u = 190

1 u = 190 ÷ 19 = 10

Amount that Hilda spent on pens
= 8 u
= 8 x 10
= $80

Number of sets of pens of 2 bought
= 80 ÷ 10
= 8

Number of pens that Hilda bought
= 8 x 2
= 16

Number of items bought
Pencils	Pens	Files	Total
1x2	2x2
	4x1	3x1
2 p	4 p	3 p	9 p

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

Number of pens that Hilda bought = 4 p

4 p = 16

1 p = 16 ÷ 4 = 4

Number of pencils that Hilda bought
= 2 p
= 2 x 4
= 8

Amount that Hilda spent on pencils
= 6 u
= 6 x 10
= $60

Price of 1 pencil
= 60 ÷ 8
= $7.50

Answer(s): $7.50