Question

which of the states in the table below is the least populous?

state	area (mi²)	population density (people/mi²)
wyoming	97,813.01	5.90
kentucky	40,407.80	111.51
north dakota	70,698.32	11.02

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for population

Population = Population Density × Area.

Step2: Calculate population for Arizona

Population of Arizona: \(62.74\times113990.30 = 62.74\times(100000 + 13990.3)=62.74\times100000+62.74\times13990.3=6274000+62.74\times(14000 - 9.7)=6274000+(62.74\times14000-62.74\times9.7)=6274000+(878360 - 608.578)=6274000 + 877751.422=7151751.422\)

Step3: Calculate population for Wyoming

Population of Wyoming: \(5.90\times97813.01=(6 - 0.1)\times97813.01=6\times97813.01-0.1\times97813.01 = 586878.06-9781.301=577096.759\)

Step4: Calculate population for Kentucky

Population of Kentucky: \(111.51\times40407.8=(100 + 10+1.51)\times40407.8=100\times40407.8+10\times40407.8+1.51\times40407.8=4040780+404078+61015.778 = 4505873.778\)

Step5: Calculate population for North Dakota

Population of North Dakota: \(11.02\times70698.32=(11+0.02)\times70698.32=11\times70698.32+0.02\times70698.32=777681.52+1413.9664 = 779095.4864\)

Answer:

Wyoming