Answer:
The answer is $215,000
Explanation:
Cost of goods sold equal:
Opening/beginning inventory plus purchases minus closing/ending inventory
To find beginning inventory at January 1, 2018, lets rearrange the formula:
Cost of goods sold minus plus purchases plus closing/ending inventory.
Cost of sales is $470,000
Purchases is $415,000
Ending inventory is $160,000
Therefore, beginning inventory at January 1, 2018 is
$470,000 - $415,000 + $160,000
=$215,000