Question:medium

The angle between the lines whose direction cosines are given by the equations \( 3l + m + 5n = 0 \) and \( 6m - 2n + 5l = 0 \) is:

Show Hint

To calculate the angle between two lines, first find their direction ratios and then apply the cosine formula.
Updated On: Nov 26, 2025
  • \( \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{6} \right) \)
  • \( \cos^{-1} \left( -\frac{1}{6} \right) \)
  • \( \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{2}{3} \right) \)
  • \( \cos^{-1} \left( -\frac{5}{6} \right) \)
Hide Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The direction cosines satisfy the equations: \[ 3l + m + 5n = 0 \quad \text{and} \quad 6m - 2n + 5l = 0 \] We need to determine the angle \( \theta \) between the two lines. This is achieved by first finding the direction ratios. The given equations are: 3l + m + 5n = 0 ...(i)
and 6mn − 2nl + 5lm = 0 ...(ii)
From (i), rearrange to get m = − 3l − 5n.
Substitute this expression for m into (ii): 6(−3l − 5n)n − 2nl + 5l(−3l − 5n) = 0
This simplifies to (n + l)(2n + l) = 0, which implies either l = −n or l = −2n.
Case 1: If l = −n, substitute into (i) to find m = − 2n.
Case 2: If l = − 2n, substitute into (i) to find m = n.
The direction ratios for the two lines are therefore (−n, −2n, n) and (−2n, n, n). Normalizing these, we obtain the direction ratios 1, 2, −1 and −2, 1, 1. The direction cosines are related by the formula: \[ \cos \theta = \frac{l_1 l_2 + m_1 m_2 + n_1 n_2}{\sqrt{l_1^2 + m_1^2 + n_1^2} \cdot \sqrt{l_2^2 + m_2^2 + n_2^2}} \] Upon solving and simplifying, the angle between the lines is: \[ \cos \theta = \cos^{-1} \left( -\frac{1}{6} \right) \]
Was this answer helpful?
0