Wrapping Wisconsin in Toilet Paper (April 2024 challenge question)

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is occasionally known as the toilet paper capital of the world.

Therefore, it makes sense to ask - how many rolls of toilet paper are required to cover the state of Wisconsin?

How many plies of toilet paper is that?

Directions: As a Fermi question, make some assumptions, but state them and show your work.

Admin answer, Updated 4.29.24

We're not expecting a scientifically exact amount. As the question states, make some assumptions. Here are ours.

One square ply of toilet paper measures about 4 x 4 inches. To achieve 1 ft², lay out a 3 x 3 grid of toilet paper squares. 1 ft² = 9 square plies of toilet paper.

Per Census.Gov, the total land area of Wisconsin is 54,153.1 square miles.

1 mile² = 27,878,400 ft²

27,878,400 × 54,153.9 = 1,509,724,085,760 ft² in the state of Wisconsin.

13,587,516,771,840 plies of toilet paper to cover the state of Wisconsin.

Economy toilet paper is typically 1 ply, with 1,000 sheets in a roll.

13,587,516,771 rolls of toilet paper to cover the state of Wisconsin.