Final answer:
To determine how many Beverly Middle School students prefer sushi, we solve the algebraic equation P = 5S - 27 with the given number of students preferring pizza (P = 1,528). After rearranging and solving the equation, we find that 311 students prefer sushi.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student question pertains to solving an algebraic equation to find out how many students prefer sushi over pizza at Beverly Middle School. The equation derived from the problem statement is: P = 5S - 27, where P represents the number of students who prefer pizza, and S represents the number of students who prefer sushi. Given that P is 1,528, we plug in this value and solve for S.
- Write down the equation P = 5S - 27.
- Substitute the given value of P (1,528) into the equation: 1,528 = 5S - 27.
- Add 27 to both sides of the equation to isolate terms with S on one side: 1,528 + 27 = 5S, which simplifies to 1,555 = 5S.
- Divide both sides of the equation by 5 to solve for S: S = 1,555 / 5.
- Calculate the division to find the value of S: S = 311.
Therefore, 311 students prefer sushi at Beverly Middle School.