George and Archie had $158 and $86 respectively. Each of them bought a skirt and a sweater at the same price. The cost of the skirt was 3 times as much as the sweater. In the end, George had 5 times as much money as Archie. What was the difference between the cost of the sweater and the skirt?

	George	Archie	Difference
Before	$158	$86	$72
Change	- 4 p	- 4 p
After	5 u	1 u	4 u

Since George and Archie bought the same items at the same price, the difference in the amounts they had remains unchanged at first and in the end.

5 u - 1 u = 158 - 86
4 u = 72

1 u = 72 ÷ 4 = 18

Cost of 1 skirt = 3 p
Cost of 1 sweater = 1 p

Total cost of 1 skirt and 1 sweater
= 3 p + 1 p
= 4 p

4 p = 86 - 18
4 p = 68

1 p = 68 ÷ 4 = 17

Difference in the cost between the skirt and the sweater
= 3 p - 1 p
= 2 p
= 2 x 17
= $34

Answer(s): $34