1. **State the problem:** The price of apples increased by $0.75$ per pound. Sam bought $3$ pounds at the new price and paid a total of $5.88$. We need to find the original price per pound before the increase. 2. **Define variables:** Let $p$ be the original price per pound of apples. 3. **Write the equation:** The new price per pound is $p + 0.75$. Sam bought $3$ pounds, so the total cost is: $$3(p + 0.75) = 5.88$$ 4. **Solve the equation:** $$3p + 3 \times 0.75 = 5.88$$ $$3p + 2.25 = 5.88$$ $$3p = 5.88 - 2.25$$ $$3p = 3.63$$ $$p = \frac{3.63}{3} = 1.21$$ 5. **Interpret the result:** The original price per pound of apples was $1.21$ before the $0.75$ increase. **Final answer:** The original price per pound is $1.21$.