Why do some states have more representatives than others?

The correct answer highlights the fundamental principle of representation in the United States, which is based on population. States with larger populations are allocated more representatives in the House of Representatives. This arrangement ensures that the voice of the people in more populous states is proportionally greater in Congress compared to less populous states. The number of representatives for each state can change after the decennial census, which counts the population. This reflects the democratic idea that representation should correspond to the number of constituents a representative serves.

The other options, while they may relate to factors influencing a state's resources or political power, do not directly pertain to the reason for the distribution of representatives. For instance, the amount of land a state has does not influence its representation, nor does tax revenue play a role in determining the number of representatives. Historic precedents may have some influence on the political structure, but the primary driver of representation is population size. Therefore, the population-centric approach provides a clear rationale for why some states have more representatives than others, supporting the principle of equal representation for equal numbers of people.