Emily spent $108 on some pens, pencils and staplers. The number of pens she bought was ²₃ the number of pencils. The number of staplers she bought was ¹₂ the number of pencils. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the pens, pencils and staplers was 5 : 5 : 8. The pencils were sold at 5 for $5. Find the price of 1 pen.

Amount spent
Pens	Pencils	Staplers	Total
5 u	5 u	8 u	$108

Total amount that Emily spent on pens, pencils and staplers
= 5 u + 5 u + 8 u
= 18 u

18 u = 108

1 u = 108 ÷ 18 = 6

Amount that Emily spent on pencils
= 5 u
= 5 x 6
= $30

Number of sets of pencils of 5 bought
= 30 ÷ 5
= 6

Number of pencils that Emily bought
= 6 x 5
= 30

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

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

Number of pencils that Emily bought = 6 p

6 p = 30

1 p = 30 ÷ 6 = 5

Number of pens that Emily bought
= 4 p
= 4 x 5
= 20

Amount that Emily spent on pens
= 5 u
= 5 x 6
= $30

Price of 1 pen
= 30 ÷ 20
= $1.50

Answer(s): $1.50