Sometimes it helps to draw it out...
(17)
C_______M_________Q
|___________________|
21
therefore, CM + MQ = CQ
17 + MQ = 21
MQ = 21 - 17
MQ = 4 <===
Step-by-step explanation:
We have got the lines :

Both lines intercept the x-axis in the point :

In all point from x-axis the y-component is equal to 0.

We replace the I point in the lines equations:

From the first equation :

From the second equation :

Then 
Finally :

y = ax + b and y = cx + d have the same x-intercept ⇔ad=bc
1.37x + 1.08y = 16.36
x + y = 13
x = 13 - y
1.37* (13-y) + 1.08y = 16.36
17.81 - 1.37y + 1.08y = 16.36
1.08y - 1.37y = 16.36 - 17.81
-0.29y = -1.45
y = 5
x + 5 = 13
x = 13-5
x = 8
He bought 8 notebooks and 5 book covers
0.25 divided by 1.075 is 0.2325..
But I think 1.075 divided by 0.25 sounds more right, in case that is the problem then the answer is 4.3