Irene spent $104 on some staplers, pencils and markers. The number of staplers she bought was ¹₄ the number of pencils. The number of markers she bought was ²₅ the number of pencils. The ratio of the amount of money she spent on the staplers, pencils and markers was 4 : 7 : 2. The pencils were sold at 5 for $7. Find the price of 1 stapler.

Amount spent
Staplers	Pencils	Markers	Total
4 u	7 u	2 u	$104

Total amount that Irene spent on staplers, pencils and markers
= 4 u + 7 u + 2 u
= 13 u

13 u = 104

1 u = 104 ÷ 13 = 8

Amount that Irene spent on pencils
= 7 u
= 7 x 8
= $56

Number of sets of pencils of 5 bought
= 56 ÷ 7
= 8

Number of pencils that Irene bought
= 8 x 5
= 40

Number of items bought
Staplers	Pencils	Markers	Total
1x5	4x5
	5x4	2x4
5 p	20 p	8 p	33 p

The number of pencils bought is repeated.  Make the number of pencils bought is the same.  LCM of 4 and 5 is 20.

Number of pencils that Irene bought = 20 p

20 p = 40

1 p = 40 ÷ 20 = 2

Number of staplers that Irene bought
= 5 p
= 5 x 2
= 10

Amount that Irene spent on staplers
= 4 u
= 4 x 8
= $32

Price of 1 stapler
= 32 ÷ 10
= $3.20

Answer(s): $3.20