1. **State the problem:** Vi pays 255 for some shirts and dresses. Each shirt costs 15 and each dress costs 35. Vi buys 9 items in total. We need to find how many shirts and dresses she buys. 2. **Define variables:** Let $x$ be the number of shirts and $y$ be the number of dresses. 3. **Write the system of equations:** - Total items: $$x + y = 9$$ - Total cost: $$15x + 35y = 255$$ 4. **Solve the system:** From the first equation, express $x$: $$x = 9 - y$$ 5. Substitute into the cost equation: $$15(9 - y) + 35y = 255$$ 6. Distribute and simplify: $$135 - 15y + 35y = 255$$ $$135 + 20y = 255$$ 7. Isolate $y$: $$20y = 255 - 135$$ $$20y = 120$$ 8. Divide both sides by 20: $$y = \frac{\cancel{20}y}{\cancel{20}} = \frac{120}{20}$$ $$y = 6$$ 9. Find $x$ using $x = 9 - y$: $$x = 9 - 6 = 3$$ 10. **Answer:** Vi buys 3 shirts and 6 dresses.