Math Homework Help with Direction Cosines

DIRECTION COSINES OF A LINE

If α, β, γ be the angles which a given directed line makes with the

positive directions of the co-ordinate axes, then cosα, cosβ, cosγ are
called the direction cosines of the given line and are generally
denoted by l, m, n respectively.

Thus, l = cosα, m = cosβ and n = cosγ

By the definition it follows that the direction cosine of the axis of x are
respectively cos0°, cos90°, cos 90° i.e. (1, 0, 0).

Similarly direction cosines of the axes of y and z are respectively (0,

1, 0) and (0, 0, 1).

Relation between the Direction Cosines:

Let OP be any line through the origin O which has

direction cosines l, m, n.

Let P º (x, y, z) and OP = r

Then OP2 = x2 + y2 + z2 = r2 …. (1)

From P draw PA, PB, PC perpendicular on the coordinate

axes, so that

OA = x, OB = y, OC = z.

Also, POA = α, POB = β and POC = γ.

From triangle AOP, l = cosα = x/r => x = lr

Similarly y = mr and z = nr

Hence from (1)

r2(l2 + m2 + n2) = x2 + y2 + z2 = r2 => l2 + m2 + n2 = 1

Note:
• If the coordinates of any point P be (x, y, z) and l, m, n be the direction cosines of the line OP, O
being the origin, then (lr, mr, nr) will give us the co-ordinates of a point on the line OP which is at
a distance r from (0, 0, 0).

Direction Ratios:
If a, b, c are three numbers proportional to the direction cosine l, m, n of a straight line, then a, b, c are
called its direction ratios. They are also called direction numbers or direction components.

Hence by definition, we have

1/a = m/b = n/c = k (say)
=> l = ak, m = bk, n = ck => k2 (a2 + b2 + c2) = l2 + m2 + n2 = 1

where the same sign either positive or negative is to be chosen throughout.

Example: If 2, – 3, 6 be the direction ratios, then the actual direction cosines are 3/7, –3/7, 6/7.

Note:
• Direction cosines of a line are unique but direction ratios of a line in no way unique but can be
infinite.

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