Question

The area of a certain desert​ (Desert 1) is nine times the area of another desert​ (Desert 2). If the sum of their areas is 40,000,000 square​ miles, find the area of each desert.

Answer 1

x= Desert 2
y= Desert 1 = 9x (because it is 9 times the area of Desert 1)

Add the two areas together.

x + 9x = 40,000,000
10x = 40,000,000
Divide both sides by 10
x= 4,000,000 sqr mi=area of Desert 2

9x= area of Desert 1 = y
9(4,000,000)= 36,000,000 sqr mi