Final answer:
In 2015, the California Department of Finance estimated the state's population to be approximately 39 million when rounded to the nearest million.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2015, the state Department of Finance estimated California's population to be approximately 39 million people, rounded up to the nearest million. This estimation considers various demographic factors such as the birth rate, death rate, and migration patterns, as well as uncertainties like uncounted individuals or inaccurate data. It's important to report population figures with a reasonable degree of precision to avoid misrepresenting uncertainties inherent in such large-scale counts. The census data is used for critical decision-making, like the apportionment of electoral districts, where each district should represent a roughly equal number of constituents.