We are given the approximate area in square miles of the largest and smallest state in the United States.
Alaska = 87³ = 87×87×87 = 658,503 square miles
Rhode Island = 39² = 39×39 = 1,521 square miles
The difference between the areas in square miles is given by
[tex]\text{difference}=658,503-1,521=656,982\: mi^2[/tex]
Therefore, the difference between the areas is 656,982 square miles.
