Calculating Infant Mortality Deaths

The question asks for the total number of deaths due to infant mortality in less developed countries, given the population, average birth rate, and infant mortality rate (IMR).

Given Information:

• Population in less developed countries: $5.3$ billion = $5.3 \times 10^9$ people
• Average Birth Rate: 23 births per 1000 people
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): 53 deaths per 1000 live births

Step 1: Calculate Total Births

First, calculate the total number of births in these countries.

Total Births = Population $\times$ (Birth Rate / 1000)

Total Births = $(5.3 \times 10^9 \text{ people}) \times \frac{23}{1000}

Total Births = $(5.3 \times 10^6) \times 23

Total Births = $121.9 \times 10^6$ births

Step 2: Calculate Infant Deaths

Next, use the total births and the IMR to find the number of infant deaths.

Infant Deaths = Total Births $\times$ (IMR / 1000)

Infant Deaths = $(121.9 \times 10^6 \text{ births}) \times \frac{53}{1000}

Infant Deaths = $(121.9 \times 10^3) \times 53

Infant Deaths = $6460.7 \times 10^3$ deaths

Infant Deaths = $6.4607 \times 10^6$ deaths

Conclusion

The calculated number of infant deaths is approximately $6.46 \times 10^6$ per year. This value is closest to $6.5 \times 10^6$/year.