The total area of contact between the tires of a racing bicycle and the road is 1.5 square inches. The bicycle and its rider weigh 171 pounds. What is the air pressure inside its tires?

To find the air pressure inside the tires of the racing bicycle, we need to use the concept of pressure and the given information. The formula for pressure is:

Pressure = Force / Area

In this case, the force acting on the tires is the weight of the bicycle and the rider, and the area of contact is given as 1.5 square inches.

First, we need to convert the weight from pounds to the corresponding force in Newtons. The conversion factor is 1 pound = 4.44822 Newtons. Therefore, the weight of the bicycle and the rider is equal to 171 pounds * 4.44822 Newtons/pound.

Next, we can substitute the values into the formula for pressure.

Pressure = (171 pounds * 4.44822 Newtons/pound) / 1.5 square inches

Simplifying the equation gives us:

Pressure = 758.47412 Newtons / 1.5 square inches

Finally, we can calculate the air pressure inside the tires by dividing the force by the area:

Pressure = 505.65 Newtons/square inch

So, the air pressure inside the tires of the racing bicycle is approximately 505.65 Newtons per square inch.