Wesley had $291 and Eric had $114 at first. Each of them bought an identical skirt and an identical sweater from the same shop. The sweater cost 4 times as much as the skirt. In the end, Wesley had 4 times as much money as Eric. What was the cost of the skirt?
| |
Wesley |
Eric |
Difference |
| Before |
$291 |
$114 |
$177 |
| Change |
- 1 skirt
- 1 sweater |
- 1 skirt
- 1 sweater |
|
| After |
4 u |
1 u |
3 u |
Since Wesley and Eric bought the same items, the difference in their amounts remains the same.
Difference in the amounts that they had
= 4 u - 1 u
= 3 u
3 u = 291 - 114
3 u = 177
1 u = 177 ÷ 3 = 59
Amount that Eric had in the end
= 1 u
= $59
Cost of 1 skirt and 1 sweater
= 114 - 1 u
= 114 - 59
= $55
The sweater cost 4 times as much as the skirt.
Cost of 1 skirt = 1 p
Cost of 1 sweater = 4 p
Total cost of 1 skirt and 1 sweater
= 1 p + 4 p
= 5 p
5 p = 55
1 p = 55 ÷ 5 = 11
Cost of the skirt
= 1 p
= $11
Answer(s): $11
