Sarah spent $76 on some pens, notebooks and files. The number of pens she bought was ¹₂ the number of notebooks. The number of files she bought was ³₄ the number of notebooks. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the pens, notebooks and files was 9 : 6 : 4. The notebooks were sold at 5 for $6. Find the price of 1 pen.

Amount spent
Pens	Notebooks	Files	Total
9 u	6 u	4 u	$76

Total amount that Sarah spent on pens, notebooks and files
= 9 u + 6 u + 4 u
= 19 u

19 u = 76

1 u = 76 ÷ 19 = 4

Amount that Sarah spent on notebooks
= 6 u
= 6 x 4
= $24

Number of sets of notebooks of 5 bought
= 24 ÷ 6
= 4

Number of notebooks that Sarah bought
= 4 x 5
= 20

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

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

Number of notebooks that Sarah bought = 4 p

4 p = 20

1 p = 20 ÷ 4 = 5

Number of pens that Sarah bought
= 2 p
= 2 x 5
= 10

Amount that Sarah spent on pens
= 9 u
= 9 x 4
= $36

Price of 1 pen
= 36 ÷ 10
= $3.60

Answer(s): $3.60