Explanation

Population density is the population of a region divided by its geographic area. Of the seven continents, Asia has by far the largest population density. Which continent has the second largest?

We know what population density is and we also know that the continent Asia has THE largest population density. We need to calculate the population density of the other continents.

First calculate the areas: (Use Calculator)

Africa: \(\frac{20.3}{100}*150,000,000= 30,450,000\)

Europe: \(\frac{6.8}{100}*150,000,000=10,200,000\)

North America: \(\frac{16.4}{100}*150,000,000=24,600,000\)

South America: \(\frac{11.9}{100}*150,000,000= 17,850,000\)

Australia: \(\frac{6}{100}*150,000,000= 9,000,000\)

Antarctica: \(\frac{9.2}{100}*150,000,000= 13,800,000\)

Now Calculate the population of each continent

Africa: \(\frac{14.8}{100}*7,000,000,000= 1,036,000,000\)

Europe: \(\frac{10.7}{100}*7,000,000,000= 749,000,000\)

North America: \(\frac{7.9}{100}*7,000,000,000= 553,000,000\)

South America: \(\frac{5.7}{100}*7,000,000,000 = 399,000,000\)

Australia: \(\frac{0.4}{100}*7,000,000,000 = 28,000,000\)

Now calculate the population density (Population/Area)

Africa = \(\frac{1,036,000,000}{30,450,000} = 34.023\)

Europe: \(\frac{749,000,000}{10,200,000}= 73.43\)

North America: \(\frac{553,000,000}{24,600,000}= 22.48\)

South America: \(\frac{399,000,000}{17,850,000}= 22.35\)

Australia: \(\frac{28,000,000}{9,000,000}=3.11\)

So, the Europe has the highest population density after Asia.

Answer: D

To save time,

We know that Asia has the highest Population density (PD), and Australia has the lowest or at least not the second highest. We are left with Europe, Africa, South and North America. We know that Americas' also not have the second highest. Hence, just calculate the PD of Europe and Africa and select the highest one.