Q71 / 180 · COMEDK 2025 (10 May Shift 3) · Mathematics

The equation of a line passing through origin with direction angles $\dfrac{2 \pi}{3}, \dfrac{\pi}{4}, \dfrac{\pi}{3}$ is

  • A
    $x=\dfrac{y}{\sqrt{2}}=z$
  • B
    $\dfrac{x}{-1}=\dfrac{y}{-\sqrt{2}}=z$
  • C
    $x=\dfrac{y}{-\sqrt{2}}=z$
  • Correct answer
    D
    $x=\dfrac{y}{-\sqrt{2}}=-z$

Solution

The direction angles of the line are given as $\alpha = \dfrac{2\pi}{3}$, $\beta = \dfrac{\pi}{4}$, and $\gamma = \dfrac{\pi}{3}$.

The direction cosines of the line are $l = \cos \alpha$, $m = \cos \beta$, and $n = \cos \gamma$.

Calculating these values:
$l = \cos \left( \dfrac{2\pi}{3} \right) = -\dfrac{1}{2}$
$m = \cos \left( \dfrac{\pi}{4} \right) = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$
$n = \cos \left( \dfrac{\pi}{3} \right) = \dfrac{1}{2}$

The equation of a line passing through the origin $(0, 0, 0)$ with direction cosines $(l, m, n)$ is given by $\dfrac{x}{l} = \dfrac{y}{m} = \dfrac{z}{n}$.

Substituting the values:
$\dfrac{x}{-1/2} = \dfrac{y}{1/\sqrt{2}} = \dfrac{z}{1/2}$

Multiplying the denominators by $2$:
$\dfrac{x}{-1} = \dfrac{y}{\sqrt{2}} = \dfrac{z}{1}$

This can be rewritten as:
$-x = \dfrac{y}{\sqrt{2}} = z$

Multiplying by $-1$:
$x = \dfrac{y}{-\sqrt{2}} = -z$

Answer: $x=\dfrac{y}{-\sqrt{2}}=-z$

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

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