Final answer:
To find the number of hamburgers sold on Thursday, we set up two equations based on the fact that a total of 721 hamburgers and cheeseburgers were sold, and there were 71 more cheeseburgers than hamburgers. After substituting the second equation into the first, we solve for H to find that 325 hamburgers were sold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves solving a system of two equations. Let's denote the number of hamburgers sold as H and the number of cheeseburgers sold as C. According to the information provided, the total number of burgers sold is 721 and there were 71 more cheeseburgers sold than hamburgers. We can create the following equations:
- H + C = 721 (the combined total of hamburgers and cheeseburgers sold)
- C = H + 71 (there were 71 more cheeseburgers sold than hamburgers)
Now, we substitute the second equation into the first:
- H + (H + 71) = 721
- 2H + 71 = 721
- 2H = 721 - 71
- 2H = 650
- H = 650 / 2
- H = 325
Therefore, the local hamburger shop sold 325 hamburgers on Thursday.