Question

One degree of longitude at the equator is approximately 111 km. As we move north or south the size of a degree changes. How many kilometers would 1° of longitude measure in kilometers at 45° latitude north?

444 kilometers

zero kilometers

222 kilometers

55.5 kilometers

Answer 1

At 45° latitude, the length of one degree of longitude can be calculated using the formula:

\[
\text{Length of 1° of longitude} = 111 \, \text{km} \times \cos(\text{latitude})
\]

At 45° latitude:

\[
\text{Length of 1° of longitude} = 111 \, \text{km} \times \cos(45°)
\]

Since \(\cos(45°) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 0.7071\):

\[
\text{Length of 1° of longitude} = 111 \, \text{km} \times 0.7071 \approx 78.5 \, \text{km}
\]

It looks like the options provided do not include the correct answer. However, for 1° of longitude at 45° latitude, it is approximately 78.5 kilometers. Since it's not in the options of 444 kilometers, zero kilometers, 222 kilometers, or 55.5 kilometers, please check the calculations or options provided.