A local Best Buy sells 8 times as many iPods as Sears. The difference between their sales is 490 iPods. How many iPods did each sell?

Best Buy sells 560 iPods Sears sells 70 iPods

Explanation:

You may set a system of equations.

1. Name the variables:

B = number of iPods sold by Best Buy S = number of iPods sold by Sears

2. Translate every verbal statement into a mathematical expression

a) A local Best Buy sells 8 times as many iPods as Sears.

B = 8S

b) The difference between their sales is 490 iPods.

B - S = 490

3. Solve the system of equations

a) Substitute B = 8S into the second equation

8S - S = 490

b) Add like terms

7S = 490

c) Divide both sides by 7

S = 70

d) Substitue S = 70 into B = 8S

B = 8 (70) = 560

Solution:

Best Buy sells 560 iPods Sears sells 70 iPods