1. **State the problem:** We are told that the cost of 2 buckets and 3 spades is 8. We want to find the cost of 4 buckets and 6 spades. 2. **Analyze the situation:** The problem shows 2 buckets + 3 spades cost £8. 3. **Set up expressions:** Let the cost of one bucket be $b$ and one spade be $s$. So, the total cost for 2 buckets and 3 spades is: $$2b + 3s = 8$$ 4. **Find the cost for 4 buckets and 6 spades:** Notice that 4 buckets = 2 \times 2 buckets, and 6 spades = 2 \times 3 spades. So cost for 4 buckets and 6 spades is: $$4b + 6s = 2(2b + 3s)$$ From step 3, $2b + 3s = 8$, so: $$4b + 6s = 2 \times 8 = 16$$ 5. **Conclusion:** The cost of 4 buckets and 6 spades is £16.