Final answer:
Representation in the House of Representatives is determined by population according to the U.S. Census, with each state entitled to a minimum of one representative, up to 435 representatives total based on population.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the House of Representatives, representation is determined by population. This system of apportionment ensures that states with larger populations have more representatives than those with smaller populations. The United States Census, which is conducted every ten years, is used to determine each state's population and, consequently, the number of representatives to which it is entitled. Every state is guaranteed at least one representative, and after that threshold, the number of representatives is based on the state's population count from the most recent census. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is A. By population.
The current number of representatives is capped at 435, a figure that has remained unchanged since the Apportionment Act of 1911. This means that while each state's representation can increase or decrease, the overall number of House members does not change. Instead, available seats are redistributed among the states based on the latest census data. Due to this, the size of each representative's constituency has grown significantly, with an average now exceeding 700,000 citizens per district.