Answer:
the first field (rate 3/4) has 32 square yards and the second field (rate 2/3) has 24 square yards.
Explanation:
With the statement we can make a system of 2x2 equations, where:
"x" is the area of the first field
"y" is the area of the second field
However,
x + y = 56 => x = 56 - y
3/4 * x + 2/3 * y = 40
replacing we have:
3/4 * (56 - y) + 2/3 * y = 40
42 - 3/4 * y + 2/3 * y = 40
-0.0833 * y = 40 - 42
y = -2 / -0.0833
y = 24
now for x:
x = 56 - 24
x = 32
This means that the first field (rate 3/4) has 32 square yards and the second field (rate 2/3) has 24 square yards.