Question

Town A has 14,700 residents and covers 42 square miles. Town B has 58,000 residents and covers 116 square miles. Which comparison is accurate?
Town A has 150 more residents per square mile than town B.
Town B has 150 more residents per square mile than town A.
Town A has 585 more residents per square mile than town B.
Town B has 585 more residents per square mile than town A.

Answer 1

To determine the accurate comparison of residents per square mile for Town A and Town B, we can calculate the population density for each town.

1. **Calculate the population density for Town A:**
- Residents: 14,700
- Area: 42 square miles
- Population Density of Town A = \( \frac{14,700 \text{ residents}}{42 \text{ square miles}} \)

\[
\text{Population Density of Town A} = \frac{14,700}{42} = 350 \text{ residents per square mile}
\]

2. **Calculate the population density for Town B:**
- Residents: 58,000
- Area: 116 square miles
- Population Density of Town B = \( \frac{58,000 \text{ residents}}{116 \text{ square miles}} \)

\[
\text{Population Density of Town B} = \frac{58,000}{116} = 500 \text{ residents per square mile}
\]

3. **Compare the population densities:**
- Town A: 350 residents per square mile
- Town B: 500 residents per square mile

4. **Calculate the difference:**
- Difference in population density = \( 500 - 350 = 150 \text{ residents per square mile} \)

Since Town B has a density of 500 residents per square mile and Town A has 350 residents per square mile, the correct statement is:

**Town B has 150 more residents per square mile than Town A.**