Final answer:
The size of the town doesn't change regardless of the perspective due to the visual phenomenon of perspective, where objects appear smaller when they are farther away.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this scenario, the fact that the size of the town doesn't change regardless of whether you look at it up close or from a hilltop is primarily due to the optical illusion known as perspective. Perspective is a visual phenomenon where objects that are farther away appear smaller.
When you look at the town from up close, you have a close-up perspective and everything appears larger. When you look at it from a hilltop, you have a distant perspective and everything appears smaller, including the town. However, the actual size of the town remains the same.
For example, imagine you are holding a small object close to you, like a book. The book appears large in your hand. But if you stretch your arm out and hold the book at arm's length, it appears smaller. However, the actual size of the book hasn't changed, it's just your perspective that makes it look different.