1|HK

3-DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY
(DIRECTION RATIOS AND DIRECTION COSINES)
Q1. If a line makes angle 90⁰,60⁰ and 30⁰ with the positive directions of x, y and z-axis
1 √3
respectively, find its direction cosines. {Ans:< 0, 2 , >}
2
𝜋
Q2. A line makes an angle of 4 with each of x-axis and y-axis. What angle does it make
with z-axis? {Ans:90⁰}
1 1 1
Q3. Can a line have direction cosines < , , > .Justify your answer?
√5 √5 √5
2 −1 −2
Q4. If the direction cosines of a line are 3 , 3 , 3 , then find its direction ratios.
{Ans<-2𝜆, −𝜆, −2𝜆>, 𝜆 ≠ 0}
Q5. (i) If a line has direction ratios 2,-1,-2, determine its direction cosines.
(ii) If direction numbers of a line are <2,-6,3>, find its direction cosines.
(iii) If direction ratios of a line are <-18,12,-4>, find its direction cosines.
Q6. The x-coordinate of a point on the line joining the points P(2,2,1) and Q (5,1,-2) is 4.
Find its z-coordinate.
Q7. Show that the line through the points (1,-1,2) and (3,4,-2) is perpendicular to the line
through the
points (0,3,2) and (3,5,6).
Q8. For what value of ‘p’ will the line through (4,1,2) and (5,p,0) be perpendicular to the
−3
line through the points (2,1,1) and (3,3,-1). {Ans: 2 }
Q9. If the line makes an angle of α, β and γ with the coordinate axis, prove that
sin2α+ sin2β+ sin2γ=2.
Q10. Find the values of ‘p’ and ‘q’ so that the line joining the points (7,p,2) and (q,-2,5) may
be parallel to the line joining the points (2,-3,5) and (-6,-15,11). {Ans:p=4,q= 3}
Q11. Show that the points (2,3,4) ; (-1,-2,1) and (5,8,7) are collinear.
Q12. Find the angle between the lines whose direction numbers are <1,2,1>,<2,-3,4>.
{Ans:90⁰}
Q13. If the coordinates of a point A,B,C and D are (1,2,3),(4,5,7),(-4,3,-6) and (2,9,2)
respectively,
then find the angle between the lines AB and CD. {Ans:0⁰}
Q14. Show that the points A(4,2,-6), B(5,-3,1), C(12,4,5) and D(11,9,-2) taken in order, are
the vertices of a rectangle.
Q15. If a line makes an angles α,β,γ,δ with the four diagonals of a cube, prove that
4 8
i)os2α+ cos2β+ cos2γ+ cos2𝛿 = 3 . ii) sin2α+ sin2β+ sin2γ+ sin2𝛿 = 3 .
Q16. Find its direction cosines of the four diagonals and the angle between two diagonals of
cube
Q17. If the edge of the rectangular parallelopiped are a, b, c. Prove that the angles between
±a2 ±b2 ±c2
the four diagonals are given by: cos−1 ( a2+b2+c2 )
Q18. If 𝑙1 , 𝑚1 , 𝑛1 and 𝑙2 , 𝑚2 , 𝑛2 are the direction cosines of two mutually perpendicular lines,
show that the direction cosines of the line perpendicular to both of these are
𝑚1 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛1 , 𝑛1 𝑙2 − 𝑛2 𝑙1, 𝑙1 𝑚2 − 𝑙2 𝑚1
Q19. Find the direction cosines of the lines which are connected by the relations:
1 2 3 1 1 2
l − 5m + 7n = 0 , 7l2 + 5m2 − 3n2 = 0 [Ans.< , , > and <− , , > ]
√14 √14 √14 √6 √6 √6

Harkamal Singh M.Sc.(Maths).B.Ed.,P.G.D.C.A.

943,Urban Estate, Phase-I, Jalandhar. Mobile No. : 98150-29762, 95010-08943
Website : harkamalsingh.webs.com Blog: mathshk.blogspot.in
2|HK

STRAIGHT LINE IN SPACE

Q1. Find the vector and the Cartesian equations of the line through the point with
position vector 2𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂ and which is parallel to the vector 𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 6𝑘̂
Q2. Find the vector and Cartesian equation of the line through points A(3,4,-7) and B(1,-
1,6).
4−𝑥 2𝑦+1 𝑧−4
Q3. The Cartesian equation of the line AB are 2 = 3 = 4 .Write the direction
numbers a line parallel to AB?
2x−1 y+2 z−3
Q4. The Cartesian equation of a line is = 2 = 3 . Find its direction cosines of a line
√3
√𝟑 𝟒 𝟔
parallel to AB. Ans< , , >
√𝟓𝟓 √𝟓𝟓 √𝟓𝟓
Q5. Find direction number of line 6x - 2 = 3y + 1 = 2 z – 2
Q6. The Cartesian equation of the line are 2x-3=3y+1=5−6z. Write the direction ratios of a
line. {Ans:<3,2,-1>}
Q7. The Cartesian equation of the line are 3x+2=1-2y=z+5. Find its direction numbers and
also write down the vector equation of a line through (-1,-2,0) and parallel to the given
line.
Q8. The Cartesian equation of the line are x=ay+b, z=cy+d. Find direction numbers of the
line and also find its equations in vector form.
Q9. Find the Cartesian equation of the line which passes through the point (-2,4,-5) and
𝑥+3 𝑦−4 𝑧+8 𝒙+𝟐 𝒚−𝟒 𝒛+𝟓
parallel to the line 3 = 5 = 6 . {Ans: 𝟑 = 𝟓 = 𝟔 }
Q10. A line passing through the point A with position vector 𝑎⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ is parallel to
vector 𝑏⃗⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 6𝑘̂ . Find the length of the perpendicular drawn on this line from
the point P with position vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑟1 = 𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂.
Q11. Find the angle between each of the following pairs of lines:
i)𝑟⃗ =4𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝜆(𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ − 2𝑘̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ − 𝜇(2𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂)
𝑥−2 𝑦+1 𝑥−1 𝑦+3 𝑧+5
ii) 3 = −2 , 𝑧 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 = 3 = 2
𝑥+1 𝑦+2 𝑧−3 𝑥+3 𝑦+4 𝑧+7
Q12. If the lines −9 = 2𝑘 = −7 and 𝑘 = 1 = 2 are perpendicular, find the value of
‘k’.{Ans: -2}
1−𝑥 7𝑦−14 𝑧−3 7−7𝑥 𝑦−5 6−𝑧
Q13. Find the value of ‘p’ so that 3 = 2𝑝 = 2 and 3𝑝 = 1 = 5 are perpendicular to
each other.
Q14. Prove that the line through A(0,-1,-1) and B(4,5,1) intersects the line through C(3,9,4)
and D(-4,4,4). Also find their point of intersection.
Q15. i)Find the co-ordinates of the point where the line through A(3,4,1) and B(5,1,6)
𝟏𝟑 𝟐𝟑
crosses the xy-plane. {Ans: , , 𝟎}
𝟓 𝟓
ii)Find the coordinates of the point where the line through (5, 1, 6) and (3, 4,1) crosses
the YZ-plane
𝑥−5 𝑦−7 𝑧+3 𝑥−8 𝑦−4 𝑧−5
Q16. i) Show that the lines 4 = 4 = −5 and 7 = 1 = 3 intersect. find their point of
intersection. {Ans :(1,3,2) }
ii) Show that the lines 𝑟⃗ =𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘 + 𝜆(3𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 4𝑖̂ − 𝑘 − 𝜇(2𝑖̂ + 3𝑘̂) intersect. Find
̂ ̂
their point of intersection. {Ans :(4,0,-1) }
Q17. Find the equations of the perpendicular drawn from the point (3,−1,11) to the line
𝑥 𝑦−2 𝑧−3
2
= 3
= 4
.Also find the foot of perpendicular and the length of the perpendicular.

Harkamal Singh M.Sc.(Maths).B.Ed.,P.G.D.C.A.

943,Urban Estate, Phase-I, Jalandhar. Mobile No. : 98150-29762, 95010-08943
Website : harkamalsingh.webs.com Blog: mathshk.blogspot.in
3|HK

Q18. A(0,6,−9); B(−3,6,3) and C(7,4,−1) are three points. Find the equation of the line AB.
If D is the foot of perpendicular drawn from C to the line AB, find co-ordinates of the
point D.
Q19. Find the foot perpendicular drawn from the points A(1,0,4) to the join of the points
22 −11 5
B(0,-11,3) and C(2,−3,1). {Ans: 9 , 9 , 9 }
𝑥−1 𝑦−2 𝑧−3
Q20. Find the image of the point (5,9,3) in the line = = . {Ans: (1,1,11)}
2 3 4
x y−1 z−2
Q21. Find image (reflection) of the point (7, 4, –3) in the line = = .
1 2 3
𝟓𝟏 𝟏𝟖 𝟒𝟑
[Ans:- (− ,− , )]
𝟕 𝟕 𝟕

Q22.
Find the shortest distance between following pairs of lines :
i. 𝑟⃗ =𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂ + 𝜆(2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 6𝑘̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 3𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂ + 𝜇(−2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 8𝑘̂).
ii. 𝑟⃗ =𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂ + 𝜆(2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 4𝑘̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂ + 5𝑘̂ + 𝜇(4𝑖̂ + 6𝑗̂ + 8𝑘̂).
Q23. Show that the lines:
𝑟⃗ =𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ + 𝜆(𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 2𝑘̂ + 𝜇(2𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂) are coplanar. Also, Find the
equation of the plane containing these lines.
𝑥−1 𝑦+1 𝑧−1 𝑥−2 𝑦−1 𝑧+1
Q24. Show that the lines 3 = 2 = 5 and 4 = 3 = −2 do not intersect.
Q25. (a)Find the length and the equation of the line of the shortest distance between the
lines:
𝑥−3 𝑦−8 𝑥+3 𝑦+7 𝑧−6 𝒙−𝟑 𝒚−𝟖 𝒛−𝟑
= −1 = 𝑧 − 3 and −3 = 2 = 4 [Ans: 3√𝟑𝟎 ; 𝟐 = 𝟓 = −𝟏 ]
3

(b) Find the length and the equations of the line of shortest distance between the lines
x−8 y+9 z−10 x−15 y−29 z−5 𝐱−𝟓 𝐲−𝟕 𝐳−𝟑
= −16 = 7 and 3 = 8 = −5 . [Ans:SD=14 units, 𝟐 = 𝟑 = 𝟔 ]
3
Q26. Determine by computing S.D., whether or not the following pairs of lines intersect :
𝑟⃗ =𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝜆(2𝑖̂ + 𝑘̂) and 𝑟⃗ = 2𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝜇(𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂ ). {Ans: No}
Q27. Find whether or not the two lines given below intersect: 𝑟⃗ =(2λ+1)𝑖̂ − (𝜆 + 1)𝑗̂ + (𝜆 + 1)𝑘̂
and 𝑟⃗ = (3𝜇 + 2)𝑖̂ − (5𝜇 + 5)𝑗̂ + (2𝜇 + 1)𝑘̂. {Ans: do not intersect}
Q28. Prove that the lines 2x=y=−z and x-1=−y−2=−2z+1 are skew.
Q29. Find the equations of the perpendicular drawn from the point A(2,4,-1) to the line
𝑥+5 𝑦+3 𝑧−6 𝒙−𝟐 𝒚−𝟏 𝒛−𝟑
= 4 = −9 {Ans: 𝟐 = −𝟕 = 𝟒 }
1
Q30. i) Find the equations of the line passing through the point (2,1,3) and perpendicular
𝑥−1 𝑦−2 𝑧−3 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 𝒙−𝟐 𝒚−𝟏 𝒛−𝟑
to the lines 1 = 2 = 3 and −3 = 2 = 5 . [Ans: 𝟐 = −𝟕 = 𝟒 ]
ii)Find the equations of the line passing through the point (1,2,-4) and perpendicular
𝑥−8 𝑦+9 𝑧−10 𝑥−15 𝑦−29 𝑧−5 𝒙−𝟏 𝒚−𝟐 𝒛+𝟒
to the two lines = −16 = 7 and 3 = 8 = −5 {Ans: 𝟐 = 𝟑 = 𝟔 }
3
𝑥−3
Q31. Find the equations of the two lines through the origin which intersects the line =
2
𝑦−3 𝑧 𝜋 𝒙 𝒚 𝒛 𝒙 𝒚 𝒛
= 1 at angles of . [Ans: 𝟏 = = −𝟏 and = = −𝟐]
1 3 𝟐 −𝟏 𝟏
𝑥+2 𝑦−1 3−𝑧
Q32. Find the foot of perpendicular from ( 0 , 2 ,7) on the line −1 = 3 = 2
Q33. Find the vector equation of the line passing through (2,1, −1) parallel to the line 𝑟⃗ =
(𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂) + 𝜆(2𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂). Also find the distance between these two lines.
𝑥+1 𝑦−2 𝑧−3 𝑥−1 𝑦−2 𝑧−3
Q34. If the lines −3 = −2𝑘 = 2 and 𝑘 = 1 = 5 are perpendicular, find the value of k
𝑦−1 𝑧−2 𝑦+2 𝑧−1
Q35. Find the distance between the lines 𝑥 = 2
= 3
and 𝑥 + 1 = 2
= 3
.

Harkamal Singh M.Sc.(Maths).B.Ed.,P.G.D.C.A.

943,Urban Estate, Phase-I, Jalandhar. Mobile No. : 98150-29762, 95010-08943
Website : harkamalsingh.webs.com Blog: mathshk.blogspot.in