Direction cosines and direction ratios

Direction angles

The angles made by a line in space with positive directions of x, y

and z axes are called as direction angles of the line.

Direction cosines (d.c.s)

If α, β and γ are the direction angles of a line, then cos α, cos β
and cos γ are called as the direction cosines of that line.
Relation between direction cosines
cos 2 α + cos 2 β + cos 2 γ = 1

These are also denoted by ℓ, m, n. Thus,

ℓ = cos α, m = cos β and n = cos γ
Hence, ℓ 2 + m 2 + n 2 = 1

Direction ratios (d.r.s)

Any three numbers proportional to direction cosines are called as
direction ratios.

Thus, if we have a, b, c ∈ R such that

l m n
= =
a b c,
then a, b, c are called as direction ratios.

Poll Question

Direction cosines are direction ratios : ( Yes / No )

Remarks

1. Direction cosines of x axis are 1, 0, 0

Direction cosines of y axis are 0, 1, 0
Direction cosines of z axis are 0, 0, 1
2. If a, b, c are the direction ratios of a line, then its direction
cosines are
±a ±b ±c
2 2 2
a 2+ b 2+ c 2 , a +b +c , a 2+ b 2+ c 2

3. If p = x i + y j + z k is any vector along line OP, then d.r.s of line

OP are x, y, z
i.e. components of a vector are d.r.s of the line
4. If e = e1 i + e2 j + e3 k is a unit vector along a line, then e1, e2
and e3 are the d.c.s of that line
i.e. components of a unit vector are d.c.s of the line.
Angle between two lines

If ℓ1, m1, n1 and ℓ2, m2, n2 are d.c.s of two lines, then the acute
angle between them is given by
cos θ = l 1 l 2 + m 1 m 2 + n 1 n 2

If a1, b1, c1 and a2, b2, c2 are d.r.s of two lines, then the acute
angle between them is given by

a 1 a 2 + b1 b 2 + c1 c 2
cos θ =
a 1 2 + b1 2 + c1 2 a 2 2 + b 2 2 +c 2 2

Condition for the lines to be parallel and

perpendicular
Two lines with d.c.s ℓ1, m1, n1 and ℓ2, m2, n2 are
1. Parallel if ℓ1= ℓ2, m1 = m2, n1 = n2
2. Perpendicular if ℓ1 ℓ2 + m1 m2 + n1 n2 = 0

Two lines with d.r.s a1, b1, c1 and a2, b2, c2 are
a 1 b1 c1
1. Parallel if a = b = c
2 2 2

2. Perpendicular if a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0

Lines
Different forms of equation of a Line

1. Passing through given point and parallel to given vector

Vector Form
The vector equation of the line passing through the point

A ( a ) and parallel to the vector b is r = a + λ b

Cartesian Form
The equation of the line passing through the point (x1, y1, z1)
x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
and having d.r.s a, b, c is = =
a b c
2. Passing through two given points

Vector Form
The vector equation of the line passing through the points

(
A ( a ) and B ( b ) is r = a + λ b − a )

Cartesian Form
The equation of the line passing through the points
A ( x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) and B ( x 2 , y 2 , z 2 ) is
x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
= =
x 2− x 1 y 2− y 1 z 2− z 1
Planes

A plane is a surface such that, if two points lie on it, then the
entire line joining them lies on it.

Equations of co-ordinate planes

Equation of xy – plane is z = 0
Equation of yz – plane is x = 0
Equation of zx – plane is y = 0

Equation of a plane parallel to XOY – plane is z = c, where

c is a constant
Different forms of equation of a plane

1. Normal form

Vector Form
Equation in normal form is
r .n = p
Where p is length of perpendicular drawn from origin to the
plane and n is unit vector along the direction of this
perpendicular.

Cartesian form
Equation of plane in Cartesian form is
ℓx + my + nz = p
where ℓ, m, n are d.c.s. of the normal.

Note : General equation of a plane is

ax + by + cz = d
length of perpendicular from the origin to above plane is

d
a 2 + b2 + c2
2. Passing through given point and perpendicular to given
vector

Vector Form

Equation of plane passing through the point A a and()

perpendicular to vector n is (r − a ) i n = 0

Cartesian Form
Equation of plane passing through the point P (x1, y1, z1) and
perpendicular to the line with d.r.s. a, b, c is
a ( x – x1) + b ( y – y1) + c ( z – z1) = 0

Note : Thus coefficients of x, y, z in an equation of plane are d.r.s.

of normal to the plane.
3. Passing through given point and parallel to two given
vectors

Vector Form

Equation of plane passing through the point A ( a ) and

parallel to the vectors b and c is r − a b c  = 0



Cartesian Form
Equation of the plane passing through the point (x1, y1, z1)
and parallel to the lines whose direction ratios are b1, b2, b3
and c1, c2, c3 is

x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
b1 b2 b3 =0
c1 c2 c3
4. Passing through three given points

Vector Form
Equation of the plane passing through three points A ( a ) ,

B ( b ) , C ( c ) is  r − a b−a c − a  = 0 .

Cartesian Form
Equation of plane passing through the points (x1, y1, z1),
(x2, y2, z2) and (x3, y3, z3) is
x − x1 y − y1 z − z1
x 2 − x1 y 2 − y1 z 2 − z1 = 0
x 3 − x1 y3 − y1 z3 − z1

5. Intercept Form
If a, b, c are non-zero intercepts of a plane on the
co-ordinate axes,
Then equation of the plane is
x y z
+ + = 1.
a b c
Angle between the planes

The acute angle θ between the planes a1x + b1 y + c1z + d1 = 0 and

a 2 x + b2 y + c2 z + d 2 = 0 is given by

a1 a2 + b1 b2 + c1 c2
cos θ =
a12 + b12 + c12 a22 + b22 + c22

Parallel and perpendicular planes

The planes a1x + b1 y + c1z + d1 = 0 and a 2 x + b 2 y + c 2 z + d 2 = 0 are

a1 b1 c1
(i) Parallel if a = =
2 b 2 c2

(ii) Perpendicular if a1 a 2 + b1 b 2 + c1 c 2 = 0
Solved sums

CET – 2008 ( Memory Based )

1. A line lies in ZX – plane and makes angle 60˚ with x – axis,

then d.c.s. of the line are

1 3 3 1 1 3 1
(a) , 0, (b) , 0, (c) 0, , (d) , 3, 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 3
Solution
We are given α = 60˚
1
∴ cos α = cos 60˚ =
2

Now, from the options, answer is (a)

OR

We are given α = 60˚

1
∴ cos α = cos 60˚ =
2

As the line lies in ZX – plane,

the angle made by line with y axis is 90˚ = β

∴ cos β = cos 90˚ = 0

Now,
cos 2 α + cos 2 β + cos 2 γ = 1
 1
∴ + 0 + cos 2 γ = 1
4
1 3
∴ cos 2 γ = 1 − =
4 4
3
∴ cos γ = ±
2

x −4 y−3 2−z
2. The angle between the lines = = and
1 1 −2

x −9 y−3 z − 2
= =
2 −1 1

π π π π
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 4 3 6
Solution
x −4 y−3 2−z x −4 y−3 z −2
d.r.s. of the line = = i.e. = = are
1 1 −2 1 1 2

(a1, b1, c1) ≡ (1, 1, 2)

x −9 y −3 z − 2
d.r.s of the line 2 = − 1 = 1 are

(a2, b2, c2) ≡ (2, - 1, 1)

If θ is angle between the lines then
 a1 a 2 + b1 b 2 + c1 c2
cos θ =
a12 + b12 + c12 a 22 + b 2 2 + c 2 2
2 −1+ 2 3 1
∴ cos θ = = =
6 6 6 2

π
∴θ=
3

CET – 2009 ( Memory Based )

1. If θ1, θ2, θ3 are angles made by the line with XOY, YOZ and
ZOX planes then cos 2 θ1 + cos 2 θ2 + cos 2 θ3 =
(a) 3 (b) – 2 (c) – 3 (d) 2
Solution
2. The line joining A (2, - 3, 4) and B (3, 2, - 6) meets the XOZ
plane at E then coordinates of point E are
 13   − 13   12 
2  (c)  , 0, − 2  (d)  , 0, 2 
13
(a)  2 , 0 ,  (b)  , 0,
 5   5  5   5 
Solution
d.r.s. of AB are (1, 5, - 10)

∴ equation of line AB is
x − 2 y + 3 z−4
= = = λ ( say )
1 5 − 10

∴ Any point on the line AB is ( 2 + λ, - 3 + 5λ, 4 - 10λ )

As the point lies in XOZ plane, y coordinate = 0

∴ - 3 + 5λ = 0
3
∴λ=
5
Hence, the point is
 3 3 3  13 
 2 + , − 3 + 5 × , 4 − 10 ×  i.e.  , 0, − 2 
 5 5 5 5 
3. Equation of the plane passing through A ( -2, 2, 2),
B (2, - 2, - 2) and perpendicular to x + 2y – 3z = 7 is
(a) 5x + 2y + 3z = 0 (b) 5x – 2y + 3z = 8
(c) 5x – 2y + 3z + 7 = 0 (d) 5x – 2y – 3z = 0
Solution
Check the equations in the options for points should satisfy
equation of plane.

CET – 2010 ( Memory Based )

x −1 y + 1 z + 1
1. Equation of the line is = = . The point on the
2 −2 1

line whose distance from the point (1, - 1, - 1 ) is 3 units is

(a) (3, - 3, 0) (b) (7, 3, - 2) (c) (- 3, 3, 0) (d) (- 6, - 3, 2)
Solution
First we check the points in the options to see whether they
satisfy the equation of line.
Points in the options (a) and (c) satisfy the equation of the
line. So now we will check for the distance of point.
For point (3, - 3, 0 ), distance from (1, - 1, - 1 ) is

4 + 4 +1 = 3
Hence answer is option (a)
Poll Question

π π
Is it possible that a line in space makes angles and with x
6 4

and y axes respectively.

Solution
π π
α= ,β=
6 4
now,

∴ cos 2 α + cos 2 β + cos 2 λ = 1

3 1
+ + cos 2 γ = 1
4 2
5 −1
∴ cos 2 γ = 1 − =
4 4
Which is not possible
More solved sums

1. A line lies in the YZ – plane and makes angle of 30 º with the

y – axis, then its inclination to z – axis is
(a) 30 º or 60 º (b) 60 º or 90 º
(c) 60 º or 120 º (d) 30 º or 150 º
Solution
We are given α = 90 ° , β = 30 °

cos 2 α + cos 2 β + cos 2 γ =1

3
∴0+ + cos 2 γ = 1
4
1
∴ cos 2 γ =
4
1
∴cos γ = ±
2
∴γ = 60° or120°

2. The angle between any two diagonals of a cube is

π −1  2  −1  1  π
(a) (b) cos   (c) cos   (d)
2 3  3 6

Solution
 x −5 y + 4 z −6
3. The vector form of the equation of the line = =
3 7 2
is
(a) r = ( − 5 i + 4 j − 6 k ) + λ ( 3 i + 7 j − 2 k )

(b) r = ( 5 i − 4 j + 6 k ) + λ ( 3 i − 7 j + 2 k )

(c) r = ( 5 i − 4 j + 6 k ) + λ ( 3 i − 7 j − 2 k )

(d) r = ( 5 i − 4 j + 6 k ) + λ ( 3 i + 7 j + 2 k )

Solution

r =a+λb
Here, a = 5i − 4 j + 6k
b = 3i + 7 j + 2k
4. The equation of the line passing through the point (1, 1, 1)

and perpendicular to both the vectors i + j + 2 k and i − j − k

is
x −1 y −1 z −1 x −1 y −1 z −1
(a) = = (b) = =
1 3 2 1 3 −2

x −1 y −1 z −1 x +1 y +1 z +1
(c) = = (d) = =
1 −3 2 1 3 −2
Solution
Short Cut Method
Check options for the coordinates should satisfy the
equation of line.
And a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
Here in option (b) only
1 (1) + 3 (1) – 2 (2 ) = 0 and 1 (1) + 3 ( - 1 ) – 2 ( - 1 ) = 0
OR

a = i + j + 2k and b = i − j − k

i j k
a × b= 1 1 2
1 −1 −1

= i (-1+2) – j (-1-2) + k (-1-1)

= i + 3j - 2k
x −1 y −1 z −1
∴Line is = =
1 3 −2
5. The co-ordinates of the point of intersection of the lines
x −1 y + 3 z +1 x − 1 y + 1 z + 10
= = = =
4 −4 7 and 2 −3 8
is

(a) (5, 7, 6) (b) ( 5, - 7, 6) (c) (5, - 7, - 6) (d) (5, 7, - 6)

Solution
Check points in option to satisfy both equations.

6. The co-ordinates of the foot of perpendicular from the point

x − 1 y + 1 z + 10
P (1, 0, 0) to the line 2 = − 3 = 8 is

(a) (3, 4, 2) (b) (3, - 4, 2) (c) (3, - 4, - 2) (d) (- 3 , - 4, - 2)

Solution
Check options for they foot of perpendicular should lie on the
line. The point must satisfy equation of line.
If shortcut method fails, use the following

Let M be the foot of perpendicular. Check options for line PM

perpendicular to given line using a1a2 + b1b2 + c1c2 = 0
Practice Question

Direction cosines of the line making congruent angles with the

three coordinate axes are

(b) ± 1, ± 1, ± 1
1 1 1
(c) ± ,± ,±
3 3 3
1 1 1
(d) ± ,± ,±
3 3 3
Solution
α=β=γ

∴ 3 cos 2 α = 1
1
cos 2 α =
3
1
∴ cos α = ± = cos β = cos γ
3

7. The equation of the plane passing through (0, - 2, 3) and

containing the x – axis is
(a) 2y + 3z = 5 (b) y + z = 1 (c) 4y + 3z = 1 (d) 3y + 2z = 0
Solution

Shortcut Method
As the plane contains x – axis, it contains origin O (0, 0)
also.
Hence the equation must be satisfied by the origin.
Happens only in option (d)
OR

x – axis lies in plane, therefore it is parallel to the plane.

 its d.r.s. are 1, 0, 0
As P lies in plane line OP with d.r.s. 0, - 2, 3 is also parallel
to plane

∴ equation of plane is

x−0 y−0 z−0

1 0 0 =0
0 −2 3
i.e. 3y + 2z = 0

8. If the line with direction ratios 3p, 2, 1 is parallel to the plane

2x + 3y – 4z + 7 = 0, then the value of p is
1 −1
(a) (b) (c) 3 (d) - 3
3 3
Solution
d.r.s of normal to plane are 2, 3, -4
As line with d.r.s 3p, 2, 1 is parallel to plane it is
perpendicular to normal.
∴2(3 p ) + 3(2) −1(4) = 0
∴6 p = − 2
−1
p=
3
9. If the centroid of the triangle formed by the intersection of the
plane with the co-ordinate axes is (1, 2, - 1), then the
equation of the plane is
(a) 2x + y – z = 6 (b) 2x + y – 2z = 6
(c) 2x + y + 2z = 6 (d) 2x + y – 2z + 6 = 0
Solution
Let equation of plane be
x y z
+ + =1
a b c
The points (a,0,0) , (0,b,0) & (0,0,c) lie on plane.
Centriod is (1,2,-1)
a+0+0
∴1 = ∴a = 3
3
0+b+0
2= ∴b = 6
3
0+0+c
− 1= ∴c = − 3
3
∴plane is
x y c
+ − =1
3 6 3
i.e.2x + y − 2z = 6
10. A plane bisects the join of (3, 2, - 1 ) and (1, 4, 3) at right
angle. Its intercepts on the co-ordinate axes are

3 −3 3
(a) equal (b) – 3, 3, (c) 3, - 3, (d) 3, 3,
2 2 2
Solution
d.r.s of normal are 1 - 3, 4 - 2, 3 + 1 i.e. - 2, 2, 4
i.e. - 1, 1, 2
Mid-point of (3, 2,-1) & (1, 4, 3) is (2, 3, 1) it lies on plane
Equation of plane is
(x- 2) (-1) + (y - 3) (1) + (z - 1) (2) = 0
i.e. – x + 2 + y – 3 + 2z – 2 = 0
i.e. x – y – 2z + 3 = 0
* put y = 0 = z to get x = – 3
* put x = 0 = z to get y = 3
* put x = 0 = y to get z = 3 / 2
11. A variable plane which remains at a constant perpendicular
distance 3p from the origin cuts the co-ordinate axes at A, B
and C. The locus of the centroid of ∆ ABC is
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) + + = (b) + + =
x2 y2 z2 p2 x2 y2 z2 3p 2

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(c) + + = (d) + + =p2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
x y z 9p x y z

Solution
Let the plane be
x y z
+ + =1
a b c
Then A is (a, 0, 0), B is (0, b, 0) & c is (0, 0, c)
Let G (x1, y1, z1) be the centriod
Then,
a+0+0 0+b+0 0+0+c
x1 = , y1 = , z1 =
3 3 3
 ∴a = 3x1 , b = 3y1 & c = 3z1
Distance of plane from origin = 3p
1
∴ = 3p
1 1 1
+ +
a 2 b2 c2
1 1 1 1
∴ = + +
9 p2 a 2 b2 c2
1 1 1 1
∴ = + +
9 p 2 9x12 9y12 9z12
1 1 1 1
∴ + + =
x2 y2 z2 p2

12. Equation of line passing through (2, 3, - 1) and perpendicular

to XY – plane is
(a) x = 2 + λ, y = 3, z = - 1 (b) x = - 2 , y = - 3, z = - 1
(c) x = 2, y = 3, z = - 1 + λ (d) x = - 2, y = - 3, z = 1 + λ
Solution
As line is perpendicular to XY plane it is parallel to z axis
Its d.r.s. are 0, 0, 1

∴ Its equation is
x − 2 y − 3 z +1
= = =λ
0 0 1
i.e. x – 2 = 0 , y – 3 = 0 , z + 1 = λ
i.e. x = 2, y = 3, z = – 1 + λ
13. Equation of line passing through (1, – 1, 1 ) and parallel to
x – axis is
(a) x = 1 + λ, y = - 1, z = 1 (b) x = - 1 + λ, y = 1, z = - 1
y +1 z −1
(c) x = 1, , (d) x = 1 + λ, y = 1, z = -
1 1
1
Solution
d.r.s of line are 1, 0, 0
Line is
x −1 y + 1 z −1
= = =λ
1 0 0
i.e. x – 1 = λ
y+1=0
z–1=0
i.e.
x=1 + λ , y = -1, z = 1