If a line has direction ratios $2, -1, -2$, determine its direction cosines.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → $\frac{2}{3}, -\frac{1}{3}, -\frac{2}{3}$ ##
We know that, if a line has direction ratios $a, b, c$, then Direction cosines of line are:
$\frac{a}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}}, \frac{b}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}}, \frac{c}{\sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}}$
Given direction ratios are: $2, -1, -2$
i.e., $a = 2, b = -1, c = -2$
$∴$ Direction cosines of the line are:
$\frac{2}{\sqrt{2^2 + (-1)^2 + (-2)^2}}, \frac{-1}{\sqrt{2^2 + (-1)^2 + (-2)^2}}, \frac{-2}{\sqrt{2^2 + (-1)^2 + (-2)^2}}$
Or, $\frac{2}{\sqrt{9}}, \frac{-1}{\sqrt{9}}, \frac{-2}{\sqrt{9}}$
Or, $\frac{2}{3}, \frac{-1}{3}, \frac{-2}{3}$