Chapter-One
Direction Cosines and Direction Ratios
Three member x, y, z are called the co-ordinate of the point p and the point is represented
as 𝑃(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧).
The three co-ordinates planes divided the whole space into eight parts called as octants.
The distance between the points 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) are
2
𝑃𝑄 = √(𝑥1 – 𝑥2 ) + (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )2 + (𝑧1 − 𝑧2 )2
The co-ordinate of a point which divided the join of the point 𝑃(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and 𝑄(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) in
the ratio 𝑚1 , 𝑚2 .
𝑚1 𝑥2 + 𝑚2 𝑥1
𝑥=
𝑚1 + 𝑚2
𝑚1 𝑦2 + 𝑚2 𝑦1
𝑦=
𝑚1 + 𝑚2
𝑚1 𝑧2 + 𝑚2 𝑧1
𝑧=
𝑚1 + 𝑚2
Direction cosines of a line:
If a given line OP makes angle 𝛼 , 𝛽, 𝜆 with the positive direction of axes of x, y and z
respectively then cos𝛼, cos𝛽, cos𝜆 are the direction cosines of the line OP and are generally
Y
denoted by l, m, and n respectively.
P
O X
Figure 1
Z
Direction ratio:
Any three numbers a, b and c which are proportional to the direction cosines l, m and n
respectively of a given line are called the direction ratios of the given line. Now from the
definition of direction ratios, we have
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
𝑙 𝑚 𝑛 √(𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 ) 1
= = =± =±
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 √(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ) √(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 )
𝑙 1 𝒂
∴ =± ⇒𝒍=± ,
𝑎 √(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ) √(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐 )
𝒃 𝒄
𝒎=± ,𝒏 = ±
√(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐 ) √(𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐 )
Relation between direction cosines:
Or, if l, m, n be the direction cosines of any line then prove 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏
Or, the sum of the squares of the direction cosines of every line is one.
Proof:
Let O be the origin and P(x, y, z) be any point.
Through P draw PL perpendicular to X axis. So that 𝑂𝐿 = 𝑥 and 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑟
Now from right angled triangle OPL we have,
𝑂𝐿 𝑥
cos𝛼 = 𝑂𝑃 = Y
𝑟
Or, 𝑥 = 𝑟cos𝛼
P
Or, 𝑥 = 𝑟𝑙 O X
L
Similarly, 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑚 and 𝑧 = 𝑟𝑛
Squaring and adding of these terms,
Z
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑟 2 𝑙 2 + 𝑟 2 𝑚 2 + 𝑟 2 𝑛2
Or, 𝑟 2 = 𝑟 2 (𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 )
Or, 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏
Or, 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 + 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜷 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝝀 = 𝟏 (Proved).
Angle between two straight lines
Solution:
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Let OP and OQ be two given straight lines
𝑌 𝑃
having direction cosines 𝑙1 , 𝑚1 , 𝑛1 and
𝑙2 , 𝑚2 , 𝑛2 respectively. Let the angle between 𝑑
𝑟1
them be θ. 𝑄
𝑟2
Let 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑟1 and 𝑂𝑄 = 𝑟2 and the co- 𝜃
ordinates of P and Q are (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) and 𝑋
𝑂 𝐿1 𝐿2
(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) respectively then
𝑥1 = 𝑙1 𝑟1, 𝑦1 = 𝑚1 𝑟1, 𝑧1 = 𝑛1 𝑟1 𝑍
𝑥2 = 𝑙2 𝑟2, 𝑦2 = 𝑚2 𝑟2 , 𝑧2 = 𝑛2 𝑟2
Now from trigonometry,
𝑃𝑄 2 = 𝑂𝑃2 + 𝑂𝑄 2 − 2. 𝑂𝑃. 𝑂𝑄. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
⇒ 2𝑂𝑃. 𝑂𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑂𝑃2 + 𝑂𝑄 2 − 𝑃𝑄 2
⇒ 2𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑟12 + 𝑟22 − {(𝑥1 − 𝑥2 )2 + (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )2 + (𝑧1 − 𝑧2 )2 }
⇒ 2𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑟12 + 𝑟22 – {𝑥12 + 𝑥22 + 𝑦12 + 𝑦22 + 𝑧12 + 𝑧22 – 2𝑥1 𝑥2 – 2𝑦1 𝑦2 – 2𝑧1 𝑧2 }
⇒ 2𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑟12 + 𝑟22 − {(𝑥12 + 𝑦12 + 𝑧12 ) + (𝑥22 + 𝑦22 + 𝑧22 ) − 2𝑥1 𝑥2 − 2𝑦1 𝑦2 − 2𝑧1 𝑧2 },
⇒ 2𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑟12 + 𝑟22 − {𝑟12 + 𝑟22 − 2(𝑥1 𝑥2 + 𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑧1 𝑧2 )}
∴ 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 = 𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟏 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟏 𝒏𝟐
Now, sin2 𝜃 = 1 − cos2 𝜃
= (𝑙12 + 𝑚12 + 𝑛12 )(𝑙22 + 𝑚22 + 𝑛22 ) − (𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2 )2
= 𝑙12 𝑚22 + 𝑙12 𝑛22 + 𝑚12 𝑙22 + 𝑚12 𝑛22 + 𝑛12 𝑙22 + 𝑛12 𝑚22 − 2𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑚1 𝑚2 − 2𝑚1 𝑚2 𝑛1 𝑛2 − 2𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑛1 𝑛2
= (𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
∴ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = ±√(𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
Now,
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 ±√(𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2
Condition of Perpendicularity:
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
If the two lines OP and OQ are perpendicular then 𝜃 = 900
1 ±√(𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
𝑡𝑎𝑛900 = =
0 𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2
∴ (𝒍𝟏 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟏 𝒎𝟐 + 𝒏𝟏 𝒏𝟐 ) = 𝟎
Condition of Parallelism:
If the two lines OP and OQ are parallel then 𝜃 = 00
±√(𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
𝑡𝑎𝑛00 = 0 =
𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2
Or, 0 = (𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 + (𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1 )2 + (𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1 )2
Now (𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 )2 = 0
Or, 𝑚1 𝑛2 = 𝑚2 𝑛1
𝑚1 𝑛1
=
𝑚2 𝑛2
Similarly,
𝑛1 𝑙1
=
𝑛2 𝑙2
𝑙1 𝑚
and = 𝑚1
𝑙2 2
𝒍𝟏 𝒎𝟏 𝒏𝟏
∴ = =
𝒍𝟐 𝒎𝟐 𝒏𝟐
Corresponding formula when direction ratios of the two lines are given:
If (𝑎1 , 𝑏1 , 𝑐1 ) and (𝑎2 , 𝑏2 , 𝑐2 ) be the direction ratios of the two lines, then the direction cosines
of the first lines are:
𝒂𝟏 𝑏1 𝑐1
𝑙1 = ± , 𝑚1 = ± , 𝑛1 = ±
√(𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 ) √(𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 ) √(𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 )
and the direction cosines of the second line are:
𝒂𝟐 𝑏2 𝑐2
𝑙2 = ± , 𝑚2 = ± , 𝑛2 = ±
√(𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2 ) √(𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2 ) √(𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2 )
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Now,
±(𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑐1 𝑐2 )
cos𝜃 = 𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2 =
√(𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 )√(𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2 )
±(𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑐1 𝑐2 )
∴ cos 𝜃 =
√∑ 𝑎1 2 √∑ 𝑎2 2
±√(𝑏1 𝑐2 − 𝑏2 𝑐1 )2 + (𝑐1 𝑎2 − 𝑐2 𝑎1 )2 + (𝑎1 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏1 )2
∴ sin 𝜃 =
√(𝑎1 2 + 𝑏1 2 + 𝑐1 2 )√(𝑎2 2 + 𝑏2 2 + 𝑐2 2 )
and
±√(𝑏1 𝑐2 − 𝑏2 𝑐1 )2 + (𝑐1𝑎2 − 𝑐2 𝑎1 )2 + (𝑎1 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏1 )2
tan 𝜃 =
(𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑐1 𝑐2 )
Condition of Perpendicularity:
If the two lines OP and OQ are perpendicular then 𝜃 = 900
1 ±√(𝑏1 𝑐2 − 𝑏2 𝑐1 )2 + (𝑐1 𝑎2 − 𝑐2 𝑎1 )2 + (𝑎1 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏1 )2
𝑡𝑎𝑛900 = =
0 (𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑐1 𝑐2 )
∴ (𝒂𝟏 𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟏 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟏 𝒄𝟐 ) = 𝟎
Condition of Parallelism:
If the two lines OP and OQ are parallel then 𝜃 = 00
±√(𝑏1 𝑐2 − 𝑏2 𝑐1 )2 + (𝑐1𝑎2 − 𝑐2 𝑎1 )2 + (𝑎1 𝑏2 − 𝑎2 𝑏1 )2
𝑡𝑎𝑛00 = 0 =
(𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑏1 𝑏2 + 𝑐1 𝑐2 )
𝒂𝟏 𝒃𝟏 𝒄𝟏
∴ = =
𝒂𝟐 𝒃𝟐 𝒄𝟐
Solved Problems
1. Find the direction cosines of a straight line which is equally inclined to the axis. If each
𝟐
of the angles be 𝜶 then prove that 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜶 = ±√𝟑
Solution:
Let the line makes an equal angle α with the axis. So the direction cosines are
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼
We know that, 𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 = 1
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 = 1
Or, 3 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 = 1
1
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 = ±
√3
1 1 1 1 1 1
Hence the direction cosines are , , 𝑜𝑟 − ,− ,−
√3 √3 √3 √3 √3 √3
1 2 1 2 𝟐
We know, sin2 𝛼 = 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 = 1 − ( ) = 1 − 3 = 3 ∴ 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜶 = ±√𝟑 (Ans.)
√3
2. Find the angles of triangle PQR whose vertices are P(2,3,5) , Q(-1,3,2) and R(3,5,-2).
Solution: The direction ratio of PQ and PR are (3, 0, 3) and (-1, -2, 7)
3(−1) + 0(−2) + 3.7
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑃 = ±
√32 + 02 + 32 . √−12 + −22 + 72
1
𝑆𝑜, 𝑝 = ±cos −1
√3
The direction ratio of QP and QR are (-3, 0, 3) and (-4, -2, 4)
−4(−3) + 0(−2) + (− 3)4
cos𝑄 = ±
√32 + 02 + 32 . √−42 + ( −2)2 + 42
𝜋
∴ 𝜃 = ± cos −1 0 = ±
2
The direction ratio of RQ and RP are (4,2,-4) and (1,2,-7)
1(4) + 2(2) + (−7)(−4)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑅 = ±
√−12 + −22 + 72 √−42 + −22 + 42
√2
∴ 𝑅 = ± cos −1 (Ans.)
√3
3. If the direction cosine of two lines are connected by the relation 𝒍 + 𝒎 + 𝒏 = 𝟎 and
𝒍𝟐 + 𝒎𝟐 − 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟎, then find the angle between the lines.
Solution:
The given relation 𝑙 + 𝑚 + 𝑛 = 0 … … . . (𝑖)
𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 − 𝑛2 = 0 … … … (𝑖𝑖)
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
From (𝑖), 𝑙 + 𝑚 + 𝑛 = 0
Or, 𝑛 = −(𝑙 + 𝑚)
From (𝑖𝑖) 𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 − (𝑙 + 𝑚)2 = 0
Or, 𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 − 𝑙 2 − 2𝑙𝑚 − 𝑚2 = 0
Or, −2𝑙𝑚 = 0
Or, 𝑙𝑚 = 0
𝑠𝑜, 𝑙 = 0 … … (𝑖𝑖𝑖) and 𝑚 = 0 … … (𝑖𝑣)
From (𝑖) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑖𝑖𝑖) we have,
𝑙 + 𝑚 + 𝑛 = 0
1. 𝑙 + 0. 𝑚 + 0. 𝑛 = 0
𝑙 𝑚 𝑛 1
∴0= = −1 = ±
1 √2
Thus the direction cosine of a line
1 1
𝑙1 , 𝑚1 , 𝑛1 = 0, ± ,±
√2 √2
From (𝑖) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑖v) we have,
𝑙+𝑚+𝑛=0
0. 𝑙 + 1. 𝑚 + 0. 𝑛 = 0
𝑙 𝑚 𝑛 1
∴ = = =±
−1 0 1 √2
Thus the direction cosine of other line
1 1
𝑙2 , 𝑚2 , 𝑛2 = ± , 0, ±
√2 √2
∴ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑙1 𝑙2 + 𝑚1 𝑚2 + 𝑛1 𝑛2
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
1 1
Or, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0 + 0 ± 2 ⇒ 𝜃 = cos−1 (± 2)
𝝅 𝟐𝝅
∴ 𝜽 = 𝟑, (Ans.)
𝟑
4. A line makes an angles 𝜶, 𝜷, 𝜸, 𝜹 with the four diagonals of a cube, prove that
𝟒 𝟖
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐 𝜶 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝛃 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜸 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝛅 = 𝐨𝐫 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜶 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛃 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜸 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜹 =
𝟑 𝟑
Solution: Y
B(0,a,0)
N(a,a,0)
L(0,a,a) P(a,a,a)
A(a,0,0) X
O(0,0,0)
C(0,0,a) M(a,0,a)
Let OANBLCMP be a cube whose length of each edge’s ‘a’. The four diagonals of
OANBLCMP are AL, BM, CN and OP. The coordinates of vertices are O(0,0,0,); P(a,a,a);
A(a,0,0); B(0,a,a0); C(0,0,a); M(a,0,a); N(a,a,0); L(0,a,a).
The direction ratio of 𝑂𝑃 = 𝑎, 𝑎, 𝑎 = 1,1,1
1 1 1
The direction cosine of 𝑂𝑃 = , ,
√3 √3 √3
The direction ratio of 𝐶𝑁 = 𝑎, 𝑎, −𝑎 = 1,1, −1
1 1 1
The direction cosine of 𝐶𝑁 = , ,−
√3 √3 √3
The direction ratio of 𝐴𝐿 = −𝑎, 𝑎, 𝑎 = −1,1,1
1 1 1
The direction cosine of 𝐴𝐿 = − , ,
√3 √3 √3
The direction ratio of 𝐵𝑀 = 𝑎, − 𝑎, 𝑎 = 1, −1,1
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
1 1 1
The direction cosine of 𝐵𝑀 = ,− ,
√3 √3 √3
Let l, m, n be the direction cosines of the line which makes an angle 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾, 𝛿 with the four
diagonals OP, CN, AL and BM.
𝑙+𝑚+𝑛
∴ cos 𝛼 =
√3
𝑙+𝑚−𝑛
Similarly, cos β =
√3
−𝑙 + 𝑚 + 𝑛
cos 𝛾 =
√3
𝑙−𝑚+𝑛
cos δ =
√3
𝑙+𝑚+𝑛 2 𝑙+𝑚−𝑛 2 −𝑙+𝑚+𝑛 2 𝑙−𝑚+𝑛 2
∴ cos2 𝛼 + cos2 β + cos2 𝛾 + cos 2 δ = ( ) +( ) +( ) +( )
√3 √3 √3 √3
1
= 3 (4𝑙 2 + 4𝑚2 + 4𝑛2 )
4
= 3 [∵ 𝑙 2 + 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 = 1]
Now, 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 + sin2 β + sin2 𝛾 + sin2 𝛿 = 1 − cos2 𝛼 + 1 − cos2 β + 1 − cos2 𝛾 + 1 − cos2 δ
4 8
= 4 − (cos2 𝛼 + cos 2 β + cos2 𝛾 + cos 2 δ) = 4 − 3 = 3 (Proved)
5. Find the angle between two diagonals of a cube.
Solutions: Y
B(0,a,0)
N(a,a,0)
L(0,a,a) P(a,a,a)
A(a,0,0) X
O(0,0,0)
C(0,0,a) M(a,0,a)
Z
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Let OANBLCMP be a cube whose length of each edge’s ‘a’. Let OP and BM are the two
diagonals of cube OANBLCMP.
∴ The coordinate of O is (0,0,0)
Coordinate of P is (a,a,a)
Coordinate of B is (0,a,0)
Coordinate of M is (a,0,a)
The direction ratios of OP are: 𝑎 − 0, 𝑎 − 0, 𝑎 − 0 or 𝑎, 𝑎, 𝑎 i.e. 1,1,1
1 1 1
The direction cosine of 𝑂𝑃 = , ,
√3 √3 √3
The direction ratios of BM are: 𝑎 − 0, 0 − 𝑎, 𝑎 − 0 or 𝑎, −𝑎, 𝑎 i.e. 1, −1,1
1 −1 1
The direction cosine of 𝐵𝑀 = , ,
√3 √3 √3
Let 𝜃 be the angle between two diagonals OP and BM,
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
cos 𝜃 = ( . )−( . )+( . )=3
√3 √3 √3 √3 √3 √3
𝟏
∴ 𝜽 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 −𝟏 𝟑 (Ans.)
Exercises:
1) A line makes angles 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 with the positive direction of the axes, prove that 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 +
sin2 β + sin2 𝛾 = 2.
2) Direction cosine of two straight lines are connected by the relations 2𝑙 + 2𝑚 − 𝑛 = 0 and
𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛𝑙 + 𝑙𝑚 = 0, show that the lines are perpendicular to each other.
3) Prove that the straight lines whose direction cosines are given by the relations 𝑎𝑙 + 𝑏𝑚 +
𝑓 𝑔 ℎ
𝑐𝑛 = 0 and 𝑓𝑚𝑛 + 𝑔𝑛𝑙 + ℎ𝑙𝑚 = 0 are perpendicular if + 𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0 and parallel
𝑎
if √𝑎𝑓 ± √𝑏𝑔 ± √𝑐ℎ = 0.
4) The direction cosines of two lines are connected by the relations 𝑙 − 5𝑚 + 3𝑛 =
0 and 7𝑙 2 + 5𝑚2 − 3𝑛2 = 0. Find them.
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]
5) Prove that the straight lines whose direction cosines are given by the relations 𝑎𝑙 + 𝑏𝑚 +
𝑐𝑛 = 0 and 𝑢𝑙 2 + 𝑣𝑚2 + 𝑤𝑛2 = 0 are perpendicular if 𝑢(𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 ) + 𝑣(𝑐 2 + 𝑎2 ) +
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2
𝑤(𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 ) = 0 and parallel if + + = 0.
𝑢 𝑣 𝑤
Nazrul Islam
Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, JUST, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh.
Email: [Link]@[Link]