this is a math word problem. please help

Question

A local hamburger shop sold a combined total of
573
hamburgers and cheeseburgers on Sunday. There were
73
more cheeseburgers sold than hamburgers. How many hamburgers were sold on Sunday?

Answer 1

Let x = the number hamburgers and y = the number of cheeseburgers:

• A total of 573 were sold: x+y = 573
• There were 73 more cheeseburgers sold than hamburgers, so y = x+73

 

Since y = x+73, substitute x+73 in place of y in the first equation:

 

     x + y = 573

     x + (x+73) = 573

     2x + 73 = 573

     2x = 500

     x = 250

 

There were 250 hamburgers sold and 250+73 = 323 cheesburgers.  Check:

 

     x+y = 573

     250 + 323 = 573

     573 = 573

     Check!