| 1. |
Find the direction cosines of a line that makes equal angles with the co-ordinates axes. |
|
Answer» We know that the direction cosines of a line making \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) and \(\gamma\) angles with x, y and z-axes, respectively are l = cos \(\alpha\) ,m = cos \(\beta\) and n = cos \(\gamma\). Now, given that a line makes equal angles with the co-ordinates axes. i.e., \(\alpha\) = \(\beta\) = \(\gamma\). Therefore, the direction cosines of given line are l = cos \(\alpha\) , m = cos \(\alpha\) and n = cos\(\alpha\). We also know that the sum of squares of direction cosines is equal to 1. i.e., l2 + m2 + n2 = 1. Therefore, cos2 \(\alpha\) + cos2 \(\alpha\) + cos2 \(\alpha\) = 1 ⇒ 3 cos2 \(\alpha\) = 1 ⇒ cos2 \(\alpha\) = \(\frac{1}{3}\) . ⇒ cos = ± \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\). Therefore, the direction cosines of given line are l = ±\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\),m = ±\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\) and n = ±\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\). |
|