Nick spent $1040 on jackets and blouses. The number of blouses he bought was ¹₂ the number of jackets he bought. The cost of a blouse was $5 more than the cost of a jacket. He paid $280 more on jackets than on blouses. Find the cost of 9 jackets and 8 blouses.

	Jackets	Blouses
Number of sets	2 sets	1 set
Compare each		$5 more
Total value	$660	$380

Total cost of blouses
= (1040 - 280) ÷ 2
= $380

Total cost of jackets
= 380 + 280
= $660

2 sets of jackets = $660
1 set of jackets = 660 ÷ 2 = $330 

1 set of blouses = $380

Difference in 1 set of blouses and 1 set of jackets
= 380 - 330
= $50

Number of clothing in 1 set
= 50 ÷ 5
= 10

Cost of 1 jacket
= 330 ÷ 10
= $33

Cost of 1 blouse
= 33 + 5
= $38

Price of 9 jackets and 8 blouses
= (9 x 33) + (8 x 38)
= 297 + 304
= $601

Answer(s): $601