Direction cosines and ratios
Last updated at April 16, 2024 by Teachoo
Example 5 Show that the points A (2, 3, – 4), B (1, – 2, 3) and C (3, 8, – 11) are collinear. Three points A, B, C are collinear if direction ratios of AB and BC are proportional. AB A (2, 3, −4) B (1, −2, 3) Direction ratios = 1 − 2, −2 − 3, 3 − (−4) = −1, −5, 7 So, 𝑎1, = −1 , b1 = −5, c1 = 7 BC B (1, −2, 3) C (3, 8, −11) Direction ratios = 3 − 1, 8 − (−2), −11 − 3 = 2, 10, −14 So, 𝑎2, = 2 , b2 = 10, c2 = −14 Now, 𝒂𝟐/𝒂𝟏 = 2/( −1) = –2 𝒃𝟐/𝒃𝟏 = 10/( −5) = –2 𝒄𝟐/𝒄𝟏 = ( − 14)/7 = –2 Since, 𝒂𝟐/𝒂𝟏 = 𝒃𝟐/𝒃𝟏 = 𝒄𝟐/𝒄𝟏 = −2 Therefore, A, B and C are collinear.