Answer:
36 pencils
Step-by-step explanation:
Let h and p represent the number of highlighters and the number of pencils, respectively.
Then h + p = 45, and h = 45 - p.
Tom paid a total of $30 for these supplies, with ($2/highligher)(h) + ($0.333/pencil) adding up to that amount.
substituting 45 - p for h in 2h + 0.333p = 30, we get:
2(45 - p) + 0.333p = 30, or
90 - 2p + 0.333p = 30
Combine the constants:  60 = 2p - 0.333p, or 60 = 1.667p
Then p = 60/1.667 = 35.9928, or 36.
Tom bought 36 pencils for $12, and 45-36, or 9, highlighters for $18, for a total purchase of $30.  This shows that these calculations are correct.
 
        
                    
             
        
        
        
I think the answer should be 0 but I’m not so sure!
        
             
        
        
        
We need to find the percent increase from 38.8 to 82.4, so 
x * 38.8 = 82.4
x = 82.4/38.8
x = 2.1237
Multiply by 100 to convert to percentage (move decimal 2 places to the right)
2.1237 = 212.37%
Now we can apply this percentage increase to the onion dip...
0.48 x 212.37% = 
0.48 x 2.1237 = 1.019  
 
Round to the nearest cent $1.02 is the amount of increase.  Now add it to the original price to get today's price...
$1.02 + .48 = $1.50