Question

which of the states in the table has the least population density

Answer 1

$UTAH:38.53\:\frac{inhab}{mi²}$

1) Demographic densities are found by writing one simple ratio:

$\begin{gathered} D=\frac{pop}{area} \\ \end{gathered}$

2) So, let's find the demographic density of each state and then compare them:

$\begin{gathered} d_{UTAH}=\frac{3271616}{84896.88}=38.53\frac{inhab}{mi²} \\ d_{OKLAHOMA}=\frac{3959353}{69898.87}=56.64 \\ d_{ILLINOIS}=\frac{12812508}{57913.55}=221.23 \\ d_{WEST\text{ VIRG}}=\frac{1793716}{24230.04}=74.02 \end{gathered}$

The least dense state, therefore, is Utah.