Q71 / 200 · TS EAMCET 2002 · Mathematics

The acute angle between the two lines whose direction ratios are given by $l+m-n=0$ and $l^2+m^2-n^2=0$, is

  • A
    $0$
  • B
    $\frac{\pi}{6}$
  • C
    $\frac{\pi}{4}$
  • Correct answer
    D
    $\frac{\pi}{3}$

Solution

Given that $$ l+m-n=0 $$ and $$ l^2+m^2-n^2=0 $$ From equaion (i) $l=-(m-n)$ Putting in equation (ii), we get $$ \begin{aligned} \Rightarrow & (m-n)^2+m^2-n^2 & =0 \\ \Rightarrow & m^2+n^2-2 m n+m^2-n^2 & =0 \\ \Rightarrow & 2 m^2-2 m n & =0 \\ & 2 m(m-n) & =0 \\ \Rightarrow & m=0, m & =n \end{aligned} $$ From equation (i), if $m=0$, then $$ l=n \Rightarrow l: m: n=1: 0: 1 $$ If $m=n$, then $l=0 \Rightarrow l: m: n=0: 1: 1$ If $\theta$ is the acute angle, then $$ \begin{aligned} \cos \theta & =\left|\frac{1.0+0.1+1.1}{\sqrt{1+1} \sqrt{1+1}}\right|=\frac{1}{2}=\cos \frac{\pi}{3} \\ \Rightarrow \quad \theta & =\frac{\pi}{3} \end{aligned} $$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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