Jaslyn buys a blazer, a vest, a blouse and a dress. The average cost of these items is $44. The total cost of the blouse and the dress is ³₈ of the total cost of the blazer and the vest. If the blazer costs $17.10 and the dress costs $11.80, find the difference in cost between the vest and the blouse.
Total cost of the 4 items
= 4 x 44
= $176

Total cost of the blouse and the dress = 3 u
Total cost of the blazer and the vest = 8 u

Total cost of the 4 items
= 3 u + 8 u
= 11 u

11 u = 176

1 u = 176 ÷ 11 = 16

Total cost of the blouse and the dress
= 3 u
= 3 x 16
= $48

Cost of the blouse
= 48 - 11.80
= $36.20

Total cost of the blazer and the vest
= 8 u
= 8 x 16
= $128

Cost of the vest
= 128 - 17.10
= $110.90

Difference in cost between the vest and the blouse
= 110.90 - 36.20
= $74.70

Answer(s): $74.70