Question

John spent 1/3 of his money on a pair of shoes and 3/5 of the remainder
on 4 storybooks. He still had $48 left.
(a) How much money did he have at first?
(b) Find the cost of each storybook if each storybook cost the same
amount of money.

Answer 1

x(1 - 1/3 - (3/5)(2/3)) = 48
(a) solve for x
(b) 3/5 * 2/3 = 2/5
so each storybook cost 1/4 * 2/5 x = 1/10 x

Answer 2

money at first ---- x
amount left after getting shoes = 2x/3
amount left after getting books = (2/5)(2x/3)

(2/5)(2x/3) = 48
(4/15)x = 48
x = 180

check: shoes = 1/3 of 180 = 60
leaves him with 120
spends (3/5) of that, or 72, on books
leaves him with 120-72, or 48, as stated.

Surely you can find the cost of each book.