Puzzle ZAPY 

Workings

Hint
What do the 3 numbers add and multiply to give so far?

Answer
$0.50.

Reasoning
The three prices add to 1.50 + 3.00 + 4.00 = 8.50.

The three prices multiply to 1.50 x 3.00 x 4.00 = 18.00.

You might be able to see that adding another 0.50 will take the total to 9.00, and multiplying by another 0.50 will take the product to 9.00.

The answer can also be found using algebra. If we call the missing price P, we have:
1.50 + 3.00 + 4.00 + P = 1.50 x 3.00 x 4.00 x P

    8.50 + P = 18.00 x P

        8.50 = 18.00 x P – P

        8.50 = 17.00 x P

8.50 ÷ 17.00 = P

           P = 0.50.