Direction cosines and ratios
Last updated at August 13, 2026 by Teachoo
Transcript
Ex 11.1, 3 If a line has the direction ratios โ18, 12, โ4, then what are its direction cosines?If direction ratios of a line are a, b, c direction cosines are ๐/โ(๐^๐ + ๐^๐ + ๐^๐ ) , ๐/โ(๐^๐ + ๐^๐ + ๐^๐ ) , ๐/โ(๐^๐ + ๐^๐ + ๐^๐ ) Given, Direction ratios = โ18, 12, โ4 ๐ = โ18, b = 12, c = โ4 And, โ(๐๐+๐๐+๐๐) = โ((โ18)2+122+(โ4)2) โ(๐๐+๐๐+๐๐) = โ((โ18)2+122+(โ4)2) = โ(324+144+16) = โ484 = 22 Therefore, Direction cosines = ๐/โ(๐^2 + ๐^2 + ๐^2 ) , ๐/โ(๐^2 + ๐^2 + ๐^2 ) , ๐/โ(๐^2 + ๐^2 + ๐^2 ) = (โ18)/22 , 12/22 , (โ4)/22 = (โ๐)/๐๐ , ๐/๐๐ , (โ๐)/๐๐