Question 6 of 25intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer4 marks

Show that the three lines with direction cosines 1213,−313,−413;413,1213,313;313,−413,1213\frac{12}{13}, \frac{-3}{13}, \frac{-4}{13}; \frac{4}{13}, \frac{12}{13}, \frac{3}{13}; \frac{3}{13}, \frac{-4}{13}, \frac{12}{13} are mutually perpendicular.

Correct Answer

Let the direction cosines of the three lines be denoted as l1,m1,n1l_1, m_1, n_1, l2,m2,n2l_2, m_2, n_2, and l3,m3,n3l_3, m_3, n_3 respectively. From the provided context, two lines with direction cosines l1,m1,n1l_1, m_1, n_1 and l2,m2,n2l_2, m_2, n_2 are perpendicular if l1l2+m1m2+n1n2=0l_1 l_2 + m_1 m_2 + n_1 n_2 = 0.

For lines 1 and 2, the sum of products is: (1213)(413)+(−313)(1213)+(−413)(313)=48169−36169−12169=0(\frac{12}{13})(\frac{4}{13}) + (\frac{-3}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) + (\frac{-4}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) = \frac{48}{169} - \frac{36}{169} - \frac{12}{169} = 0. Hence, Line 1 is perpendicular to Line 2. For lines 2 and 3, the sum of products is: (413)(313)+(1213)(−413)+(313)(1213)=12169−48169+36169=0(\frac{4}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) + (\frac{12}{13})(\frac{-4}{13}) + (\frac{3}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) = \frac{12}{169} - \frac{48}{169} + \frac{36}{169} = 0. Hence, Line 2 is perpendicular to Line 3. For lines 1 and 3, the sum of products is: (1213)(313)+(−313)(−413)+(−413)(1213)=36169+12169−48169=0(\frac{12}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) + (\frac{-3}{13})(\frac{-4}{13}) + (\frac{-4}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) = \frac{36}{169} + \frac{12}{169} - \frac{48}{169} = 0. Hence, Line 1 is perpendicular to Line 3. Since each pair is perpendicular, the lines are mutually perpendicular.

Exercise: EXERCISE 11.2 | Q: 1 | (Page Page 13)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The solution applies the condition for perpendicularity between two lines given their direction cosines. The context explicitly states that if the direction cosines are l1,m1,n1l_1, m_1, n_1 and l2,m2,n2l_2, m_2, n_2, the lines are perpendicular if l1l2+m1m2+n1n2=0l_1 l_2 + m_1 m_2 + n_1 n_2 = 0. The student must systematically apply this formula to all three pairs of lines (1-2, 2-3, and 1-3) to prove they are mutually perpendicular.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify the direction cosines for the three lines: L1(1213,−313,−413)L_1 (\frac{12}{13}, \frac{-3}{13}, \frac{-4}{13}), L2(413,1213,313)L_2 (\frac{4}{13}, \frac{12}{13}, \frac{3}{13}), and L3(313,−413,1213)L_3 (\frac{3}{13}, \frac{-4}{13}, \frac{12}{13}).

  2. Step 2: State the condition for perpendicular lines with direction cosines: l1l2+m1m2+n1n2=0l_1 l_2 + m_1 m_2 + n_1 n_2 = 0.

  3. Step 3: Check perpendicularity for L1L_1 and L2L_2: (1213)(413)+(−313)(1213)+(−413)(313)=48−36−12169=0(\frac{12}{13})(\frac{4}{13}) + (\frac{-3}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) + (\frac{-4}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) = \frac{48 - 36 - 12}{169} = 0.

  4. Step 4: Check perpendicularity for L2L_2 and L3L_3: (413)(313)+(1213)(−413)+(313)(1213)=12−48+36169=0(\frac{4}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) + (\frac{12}{13})(\frac{-4}{13}) + (\frac{3}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) = \frac{12 - 48 + 36}{169} = 0.

  5. Step 5: Check perpendicularity for L1L_1 and L3L_3: (1213)(313)+(−313)(−413)+(−413)(1213)=36+12−48169=0(\frac{12}{13})(\frac{3}{13}) + (\frac{-3}{13})(\frac{-4}{13}) + (\frac{-4}{13})(\frac{12}{13}) = \frac{36 + 12 - 48}{169} = 0.

  6. Step 6: Conclude that since the sum of products of direction cosines is zero for every pair, the three lines are mutually perpendicular.