Question

the seismic activity density of a region is the ratio of the number of earthquakes during a given time span to the land area affected. the table shows the land area and seismic activity density

	land area (mi²)	seismic activity density
state b	10931	0.1402

which statement about the number of earthquakes the states had for the given time span is true?
state a had approximately 1,533 more earthquakes than state b.
state b had approximately 1,533 more earthquakes than state a.
state a had approximately 3,362 more earthquakes than state b.
state b had approximately 3,362 more earthquakes than state a.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate number of earthquakes for State A

Multiply land - area by density. Let \(n_A\) be the number of earthquakes in State A. \(n_A=163696\times0.0299\)
\[n_A = 163696\times0.0299=163696\times\frac{299}{10000}= \frac{163696\times299}{10000}=\frac{48945104}{10000}=4894.5104\approx4895\]

Step2: Calculate number of earthquakes for State B

Multiply land - area by density. Let \(n_B\) be the number of earthquakes in State B. \(n_B = 10931\times0.1402\)
\[n_B=10931\times0.1402 = 10931\times\frac{1402}{10000}=\frac{10931\times1402}{10000}=\frac{15325262}{10000}=1532.5262\approx1533\]

Step3: Find the difference between the number of earthquakes in State A and State B

\(n_A - n_B=4895 - 1533=3362\)

Answer:

State A had approximately 3,362 more earthquakes than State B.