Final answer:
The correct relative location for Chicago, Illinois, is (a) 201 miles from Springfield, as it provides a position in relation to another place. Coordinates and latitude describe the absolute position, not the relative position.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relative location refers to the position of a place based on its location in relation to other places, using descriptors such as direction, distance, or time for comparison. When we analyze the relative location for Chicago, Illinois, we look at its positioning with respect to other locations.
If we consider the question: Chicago, Illinois, is located (201 miles from Springfield, at N41 W87, 41 degrees north of the equator), which is the correct relative location for Chicago, Illinois? The answer is (a) 201 miles from Springfield. The provided coordinates, at N41 W87, specify absolute location, and the latitude, 41 degrees north of the equator, also indicates a form of absolute placement on Earth's surface based on latitude.
The three main components often involved in explaining relative location are distance from another place, direction concerning another place, and travel time from one place to another. While 201 miles gives a reference to Springfield, denoting proximity, the other options like latitude and coordinates give precise details which characterize the absolute location of Chicago rather than relative. Therefore, when mentioning the correct option answer in the final answer, the relative location of Chicago is 201 miles from Springfield, which is option (a).