What is the total area in acres of a square mile?

A square mile is a unit of area that is defined as a square with each side measuring one mile in length. To understand the total area in acres of a square mile, it is important to know the conversion factor between miles and acres.

One mile is equivalent to 5,280 feet. To calculate the area of a square mile in acres, we start by determining the area in square feet. The area in square feet is calculated as follows:

1 mile x 1 mile = 5,280 feet x 5,280 feet = 27,878,400 square feet.

Next, we utilize the conversion between square feet and acres. There are 43,560 square feet in one acre. Thus, to convert square feet to acres, we divide the total number of square feet by the number of square feet per acre:

27,878,400 square feet ÷ 43,560 square feet/acre = 640 acres.

This means that one square mile is equal to 640 acres, confirming that the correct choice is indeed 640 acres. Understanding this conversion is essential for real estate professionals as it assists in accurately assessing land and property values.