🧁 Muffins, and the cheapest way to buy 57

A closer look at one question · SMC 2026 mock, Question 10 (bank id A10)

A bakery sells muffins: 1 for $1.40, 6 for $5.70, or 10 for $8.90. Nick wants 57 muffins. What is the LEAST amount he will need to pay?

1 Work out the price PER MUFFIN in each deal

deal	per muffin
1 for $1.40	$1.40
6 for $5.70	95¢
10 for $8.90	89¢ — cheapest!

The 10-pack is the best value, so use as MANY of those as possible.

2 Take as many 10-packs as fit into 57

57 muffins

10101010107 left

5 × 10 = 50 muffins for 5 × $8.90 = $44.50, leaving 7 muffins to price.

3 Price the leftover 7 TWO ways, and pick the cheaper

way to buy the last 7	cost
7 singles	7 × $1.40 = $9.80
1 six-pack + 1 single	$5.70 + $1.40 = $7.10

$44.50 + $7.10 = $51.60.

$51.60

The trap: buying a sixth 10-pack to avoid the leftover (60 muffins for $53.40) or pricing the last 7 as singles ($9.80). Both cost MORE than $51.60 — always price the leftover both ways.