Nick spent $765 on blouses and skirts. The number of skirts he bought was ¹₃ the number of blouses he bought. The cost of a skirt was $5 more than the cost of a blouse. He paid $345 more on blouses than on skirts. Find the cost of 7 blouses and 8 skirts.

	Blouses	Skirts
Number of sets	3 sets	1 set
Compare each		$5 more
Total value	$555	$210

Total cost of skirts
= (765 - 345) ÷ 2
= $210

Total cost of blouses
= 210 + 345
= $555

3 sets of blouses = $555
1 set of blouses = 555 ÷ 3 = $185 

1 set of skirts = $210

Difference in 1 set of skirts and 1 set of blouses
= 210 - 185
= $25

Number of clothing in 1 set
= 25 ÷ 5
= 5

Cost of 1 blouse
= 185 ÷ 5
= $37

Cost of 1 skirt
= 37 + 5
= $42

Price of 7 blouses and 8 skirts
= (7 x 37) + (8 x 42)
= 259 + 336
= $595

Answer(s): $595