Use the substitution method to solve the system of equations.
Let k be the cost of a knife and s be the cost of a spoon.
Since a knife is four times the cost of a spoon, then:
![k=4s](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/eebbcs105j8vo67cg10lqo7v00t0ze5ws8.png)
Since 12 spoons and 16 knives cost 105.64, then:
![12s+16k=105.64](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/high-school/7v9j8rwzcwftz2ut1nu2gbyta9m891zdgy.png)
Replace the expression for k in terms of s into the second equation:
![12s+16(4s)=105.64](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/950n6br9xyl0sesr51b9ezai4umj8i3cvi.png)
We obtained an equation in a single variable. Solve for s:
![\begin{gathered} \Rightarrow12s+64s=105.64 \\ \Rightarrow76s=105.64 \\ \Rightarrow s=(105.64)/(76) \\ \therefore s=1.39 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/12alr2pwlz9u9a6op2cszgbhuy2wzliavt.png)
Replace the value of s into the expression for k to find the cost of a knife:
![\begin{gathered} k=4s \\ \Rightarrow k=4(1.39) \\ \therefore k=5.56 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/nhs82noqgv6mm2v96llsqb42cjnpl9ips9.png)
Therefore, the cost of one knife is equal to £5.56.