Victorium bought 12 novels of the same kind during the Grand Opening Sale. Hilda bought 5 of the same novels. Hilda also bought 4 erasers at $2.20 each. Altogether, she spent $1.10 more than Victorium. What was the amount Hilda spent?
Amount that Hilda spent on 4 erasers
= 4 x 2.20
= $8.80

Let the cost of each novel be 1 u. 

Amount that Victorium spent = 12 u

Amount that Hilda spent =  5 u + 8.80

Hilda spent $1.10 more than Victorium.  If Victorium spent another $1.10, she would spend the same amount as Hilda.

12 u + 1.10 = 5 u + 8.80
12 u - 5 u = 8.80 - 1.10
7 u = 7.70

1 u = 7.70 ÷ 7 = 1.10

Cost of each novel
= 1 u
= $1.10

Amount that Hilda spent
= 5 x 1.10 + 8.80
= 5.50 + 8.80
= $14.30

Answer(s): $14.30