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Difficulty: MediumLocation, Position, Size, and Boundaries of Nigeria

Given that Nigeria spans longitudinally between 3∘E3^\circ\text{E} and 15∘E15^\circ\text{E}, what is the exact local time difference between the country's easternmost and westernmost limits?

  1. A
    40 minutes
  2. 48 minutesAnswer
  3. C
    56 minutes
  4. D
    60 minutes

Answer

The local time difference between Nigeria's easternmost and westernmost longitudinal limits is 48 minutes.
Nigeria lies between longitudes 3∘E3^\circ\text{E} and 15∘E15^\circ\text{E}, giving a total longitudinal extent of 12∘12^\circ. Since 1∘1^\circ of longitude corresponds to a 4-minute time difference, multiplying 12∘12^\circ by 4 minutes per degree yields exactly 48 minutes of local time variation across the country.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the longitudinal span of Nigeria
15∘E−3∘E=12∘15^\circ\text{E} - 3^\circ\text{E} = 12^\circ
Local time differences are calculated based on degrees of longitude between two points.
2
Convert the angular distance in degrees to time in minutes
12∘×4 minutes per degree=48 minutes12^\circ \times 4\text{ minutes per degree} = 48\text{ minutes}
The Earth rotates 360∘360^\circ in 24 hours, which equals 1∘1^\circ of longitude every 4 minutes.

Key Concept

Nigeria's Longitudinal Extent and Time Calculation
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Topics

Location, Position, Size, and Boundaries of Nigeria

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