Wendy spent $184 on some pencils, notebooks and pens. The number of pencils she bought was ²₃ the number of notebooks. The number of pens she bought was ²₅ the number of notebooks. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the pencils, notebooks and pens was 9 : 6 : 8. The notebooks were sold at 5 for $8. Find the price of 1 pencil.

Amount spent
Pencils	Notebooks	Pens	Total
9 u	6 u	8 u	$184

Total amount that Wendy spent on pencils, notebooks and pens
= 9 u + 6 u + 8 u
= 23 u

23 u = 184

1 u = 184 ÷ 23 = 8

Amount that Wendy spent on notebooks
= 6 u
= 6 x 8
= $48

Number of sets of notebooks of 5 bought
= 48 ÷ 8
= 6

Number of notebooks that Wendy bought
= 6 x 5
= 30

Number of items bought
Pencils	Notebooks	Pens	Total
2x5	3x5
	5x3	2x3
10 p	15 p	6 p	31 p

The number of notebooks bought is repeated.  Make the number of notebooks bought is the same.  LCM of 3 and 5 is 15.

Number of notebooks that Wendy bought = 15 p

15 p = 30

1 p = 30 ÷ 15 = 2

Number of pencils that Wendy bought
= 10 p
= 10 x 2
= 20

Amount that Wendy spent on pencils
= 9 u
= 9 x 8
= $72

Price of 1 pencil
= 72 ÷ 20
= $3.60

Answer(s): $3.60