Question

Olby and Sarah sold newspapers this past summer. Colby earned $4.50 for each newspaper he sold. Sarah's earnings were $35 less than Colby's at the end of the summer. The following expression shows Sarah's earnings:

4.50y − 35

In the expression, what does the variable y represent?

Sarah's earnings at the end of the summer
Colby's earnings at the end of the summer
The number of newspapers that Sarah sold
The number of newspapers that Colby sold

Answer 1

colby earns 4.5 times number of newspapers
colby's earnings is 4.50(numbernewpapers)

sarah's is 35 less or -35 so
sarah=4.50(numbernewspapers)

4.50y-35=4.50(numbernewpapers)-35
obviously
y=number of newspapers that colby sold

4th option