Wendy spent $54 on some staplers, markers and pencils. The number of staplers she bought was ²₃ the number of markers. The number of pencils she bought was ¹₂ the number of markers. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the staplers, markers and pencils was 3 : 8 : 7. The markers were sold at 2 for $8. Find the price of 1 stapler.

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

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

18 u = 54

1 u = 54 ÷ 18 = 3

Amount that Wendy spent on markers
= 8 u
= 8 x 3
= $24

Number of sets of markers of 2 bought
= 24 ÷ 8
= 3

Number of markers that Wendy bought
= 3 x 2
= 6

Number of items bought
Staplers	Markers	Pencils	Total
2x2	3x2
	2x3	1x3
4 p	6 p	3 p	13 p

The number of markers bought is repeated.  Make the number of markers bought is the same.  LCM of 3 and 2 is 6.

Number of markers that Wendy bought = 6 p

6 p = 6

1 p = 6 ÷ 6 = 1

Number of staplers that Wendy bought
= 4 p
= 4 x 1
= 4

Amount that Wendy spent on staplers
= 3 u
= 3 x 3
= $9

Price of 1 stapler
= 9 ÷ 4
= $2.25

Answer(s): $2.25