Final answer:
The average number of people per square mile in Australia is calculated by dividing its population of about 23 million by its area of 2.95×10⁶ square miles, resulting in approximately 7.8 people per square mile, so the closest answer is 8.76.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average number of people per square mile in Australia, we use the population density formula, which is the total population divided by the total area. The area of Australia is about 2.95×106 square miles, and the population in 2017 was approximately 23 million people.
Using the formula:
Population density = Total population / Total area
Population density = 23,000,000 people / 2.95×106 square miles = 7.8 people per square mile.
Thus, the closest answer choice by rounding up is:
b) 8.76 people per square mile