In winter, the price of apples suddenly went up by$0.75 per pound. Sam bought 3 pounds of apples at the new price for a total of $5.88.

Write an equation to determine the original price per pound (p) and then find the original price per pound.

From the information given, the original price per pound was increased by $ 0.75

Let the original price be x, so the new price is x + 0.75

Sam bought 3 pounds of apples at new price and it cost him 5.88

so we form an equation:

3 (x + 0.75) = 5.88

3x + 2.25 = 5.88

3x = 5.88 - 2.25

3x = 3.63

x = 3.63 / 3

x = 1.21

Therefore the original price per pound is 1.21 dollars