f a line in octant OXYZ makes equal angles with co-ordinate axes, then

f a line in octant OXYZ makes equal angles with co-ordinate axes, then
  1. $l=m=n=\frac{1}{3}$
  2. $l=m=n=-\frac{1}{3}$
  3. $l=m=n=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$
  4. $l=m=n=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$

Solution

Let the direction cosines of the lines makes an angle $\alpha$ with each of coordinate axes. $\begin{array}{l} \therefore \quad \ell+\mathrm{m}^{2}+\mathrm{n}^{2}=1 \\ \therefore \quad 3 \cos ^{2} \alpha=1 \Rightarrow \cos ^{2} \alpha=\frac{1}{3} \Rightarrow \cos \alpha=\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \Rightarrow \ell=\mathrm{m}=\mathrm{n}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \end{array}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2020 (13 Oct Shift 1)

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