Question

Jade buys a blouse and a skirt for 3/4 of their original price. Jade pays a total of $31.50 for the two items. If the original price of the blouse is $18, what is the original price of the skirt?

Answer 1

3/4 times 18= 13.5
31.5-13.5=18 
It cost 18 dollars for the skirt with a discount.
It cost 13.5 for the blouse as opposed to the original price of 18 dollars.
18(skirt)+13.5(blouse)=31.5
If you set up a proportion to find the original price of the skirt you will get the answer. 
18/x=75/100
75x=18 times 100
75x=1800
75x/75=1800/75
x=24 
The original price of the skirt is 24 dollars.