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.

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