Let X be the wholesale price.

The retail price of a pair of pants is X + X*80% = $36.

Thus 1.8*X = $36.

Thus X = $36 / 1.8 = $20.

# Answer

20
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
A store owner buys clothes wholesale and adds 80% to the wholesale price to set the retail price. The retail price of a pair of pants is $36. What is the wholesale price?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
20
A store owner buys clothes wholesale and adds 80% to the wholesale price to set the retail price. The retail price of a pair of pants is $36. What is the wholesale price?
train