To calculate the distance between Lagos (4°N) and Cairo (30°N) along the Earth's surface, you can use the formula for the great-circle distance, which is calculated along the surface of a sphere.
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Find the difference in latitude:
- Latitude of Lagos: 4°N
- Latitude of Cairo: 30°N
- Difference in latitude = 30°N - 4°N = 26°
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Convert the latitude difference from degrees to radians: \[ \text{Difference in radians} = 26^\circ \times \left(\frac{\pi \text{ radians}}{180^\circ}\right) \approx 0.454 \text{ radians} \]
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Radius of the Earth: The average radius of the Earth is about 6,371 kilometers.
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Calculate the distance: \[ \text{Distance} = \text{Radius} \times \text{Difference in radians} \] \[ \text{Distance} \approx 6,371 , \text{km} \times 0.454 \text{ radians} \approx 2,892 , \text{km} \]
Therefore, the approximate distance between Lagos and Cairo along the surface of the Earth is about 2,892 kilometers.