Find the cost of the pens first.

$211.20 - $38.40 = $172.80

$172.80 ÷ 2 = $86.40

So the pens cost $86.40.

Cost of correction tapes
= $211.20 - $86.40
= $124.80

So, since the ratio of pens bought to correction tapes bought is 3 : 2,


3 units of pens were bought and 2 units of correction tapes were bought.


Cost of 3 units of pens = $86.40

Cost of 1 unit of pens= $86.40 ÷ 3 = $28.80

If only 2 units of pens were bought instead,

Cost = $28.80 x 2 = $ 57.60

so let's compare price of 2 units of pens ($57.60) and 2 units of correction tapes ($124.80)

Difference = $124.80 - $57.60
= $67.20

Since we know each correction tape costs $1.40 more than each pen,

$67.20 ÷ $1.40 = 48

So 48 correction tapes cost $67.20 more than 48 pens.

This also means 2 units = 48

So 1 unit = 48 ÷ 2 = 24

Total number of pens and correction tapes bought
= 3 units + 2 units
= 5 units
= 5 x 24
= 120

Hi J! Thank you so much for your help.

You're welcome!