A local area network (LAN) is a collection of computers connected in which type of area?

A local area network (LAN) is defined as a collection of computers and devices that are connected within a small geographic area. This typically includes homes, schools, or offices where the components are close enough to be connected directly using wired technologies, such as Ethernet, or wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi. The focus on a small geographic area is key, as a LAN is meant to facilitate communication and resource sharing among devices within that limited space.

The other types of areas mentioned do not adequately describe a LAN's characteristics. A global area is too broad, encompassing potentially worldwide connectivity, which is not the function of a LAN. Public areas refer to networks available to the general public, such as hotspots or city-wide networks, which again do not represent the localized nature of a LAN. Metropolitan areas are larger than the scope of a LAN, as they can refer to larger networks serving cities and regional areas, which typically fall under the category of metropolitan area networks (MANs). Thus, "small geographic" encapsulates the essential nature of what constitutes a LAN.