How many times could Rhode Island fit into the land area of Alaska?

To determine how many times Rhode Island can fit into the land area of Alaska, you begin by considering the land areas of both states. Rhode Island, being the smallest state in the United States, has a land area of approximately 1,214 square miles. In contrast, Alaska is the largest state, with a land area of about 663,300 square miles.

To find out how many times Rhode Island fits into Alaska, you would divide the total land area of Alaska by the land area of Rhode Island. Doing the calculation gives:

663,300 square miles (Alaska) ÷ 1,214 square miles (Rhode Island) ≈ 546 times.

This number suggests that the correct option is a figure that most closely matches this calculation. While the provided answer indicates 423, it may not accurately reflect the most precise division. If we focus on the closest options to common knowledge about sizes and understanding of land areas, you might align more closely with choices like 654, which might suggest rounding or estimation considerations.

Therefore, while the answer provided is marked as 423, the calculated and potentially accepted closest answer presents a strong case for considering other viable mathematical outcomes related to state sizes.