CBSE Class 12 Mathematics: Three-Dimensional Geometry NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Chapter 11, Three-Dimensional Geometry, for Class 12 Mathematics. It covers fundamental concepts such as finding the direction cosines of a line given the angles it makes with the coordinate axes, determining direction cosines when a line is equally inclined to the axes, and calculating direction cosines from given direction ratios. The solutions also demonstrate how to prove the collinearity of three points in space using direction ratios. These step-by-step explanations are designed to help students understand the underlying principles and methods, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation and revision.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 12
SubjectMathematics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterThree – dimensional Geometry

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 11, Three-Dimensional Geometry, focuses on understanding the direction cosines and direction ratios of a line. This chapter's exercises guide students through calculating direction cosines from given angles and direction ratios, and verifying collinearity of points using these concepts. The solutions provide clear, step-by-step derivations essential for mastering these 3D geometry concepts.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of direction cosines and their relationship with the angles a line makes with the coordinate axes.
  • Calculate direction cosines of a line given its angles with the x, y, and z axes.
  • Determine direction cosines for a line that is equally inclined to all coordinate axes.
  • Find direction cosines of a line when its direction ratios are provided.
  • Apply the concept of direction ratios to prove the collinearity of three points in three-dimensional space.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Direction Cosines
  • Angles with Coordinate Axes
  • Direction Ratios
  • Relationship between Direction Cosines and Direction Ratios
  • Collinearity of Points
  • Three-Dimensional Geometry Basics

Important topics

  • Calculating Direction Cosines from Angles
  • Calculating Direction Cosines from Direction Ratios
  • Condition for Equal Inclination to Axes
  • Proving Collinearity of Points

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

If a line makes angles 90°, 135°, 45° with x, y and z-axes respectively, find its direction cosines.
Solution:

Let the direction cosines of the line be $l, m,$ and $n$. These are the cosines of the angles the line makes with the positive x, y, and z axes, respectively.

Given angles are:

  • Angle with x-axis: $90^\circ$
  • Angle with y-axis: $135^\circ$
  • Angle with z-axis: $45^\circ$

Therefore, the direction cosines are calculated as follows:

$l = \cos 90^\circ = 0$

$m = \cos 135^\circ = \cos (180^\circ - 45^\circ) = -\cos 45^\circ = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$

$n = \cos 45^\circ = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$

Thus, the direction cosines of the line are $0, -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}},$ and $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$.

Question 2

Find the direction cosines of a line which makes equal angles with the coordinate axes.
Solution:

Let the direction cosines of the line be $l, m,$ and $n$. If the line makes equal angles with the coordinate axes, let this angle be $\alpha$. Then, $l = \cos \alpha$, $m = \cos \alpha$, and $n = \cos \alpha$.

We know the fundamental property of direction cosines: $l^2 + m^2 + n^2 = 1$.

Substituting the equal angles, we get:

$\cos^2 \alpha + \cos^2 \alpha + \cos^2 \alpha = 1$

$3\cos^2 \alpha = 1$

$\cos^2 \alpha = \frac{1}{3}$

Taking the square root of both sides, we get:

$\cos \alpha = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$

Therefore, the direction cosines of the line are $\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}},$ and $\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$. This gives two possible sets of direction cosines: $(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}})$ and $(-\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}, -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}})$.

Question 3

If a line has the direction ratios -18, 12, -4, then what are its direction cosines?
Solution:

Let the direction ratios of the line be $a = -18, b = 12,$ and $c = -4$. The direction cosines $(l, m, n)$ of a line can be found from its direction ratios using the formula:

$l = \frac{a}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$, $m = \frac{b}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$, $n = \frac{c}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$

First, calculate the magnitude of the direction ratios:

$\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2} = \sqrt{(-18)^2 + (12)^2 + (-4)^2}$

= $\sqrt{324 + 144 + 16}$

= $\sqrt{484}$

= $22$

Now, find the direction cosines:

$l = \frac{-18}{22} = -\frac{9}{11}$

$m = \frac{12}{22} = \frac{6}{11}$

$n = \frac{-4}{22} = -\frac{2}{11}$

Thus, the direction cosines of the line are $-\frac{9}{11}, \frac{6}{11},$ and $-\frac{2}{11}$.

Question 4

Show that the points (2, 3, 4), (-1, -2, 1), (5, 8, 7) are collinear.
Solution:

Let the given points be A = (2, 3, 4), B = (-1, -2, 1), and C = (5, 8, 7).

To show that these points are collinear, we can check if the direction ratios of the line segment AB are proportional to the direction ratios of the line segment BC.

The direction ratios of a line segment joining two points $(x_1, y_1, z_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2, z_2)$ are given by $(x_2 - x_1, y_2 - y_1, z_2 - z_1)$.

Direction ratios of AB:

$(x_B - x_A, y_B - y_A, z_B - z_A) = (-1 - 2, -2 - 3, 1 - 4) = (-3, -5, -3)$

Direction ratios of BC:

$(x_C - x_B, y_C - y_B, z_C - z_B) = (5 - (-1), 8 - (-2), 7 - 1) = (5 + 1, 8 + 2, 6) = (6, 10, 6)$

Now, let's check if the direction ratios of AB are proportional to the direction ratios of BC. We can see if one set of ratios is a constant multiple of the other.

Let's compare the ratios:

$\frac{\text{DR}_{BC}}{\text{DR}_{AB}} = \frac{6}{-3} = -2$

$\frac{10}{-5} = -2$

$\frac{6}{-3} = -2$

Since the ratio of the corresponding direction ratios is constant (equal to -2), the direction ratios of AB are proportional to the direction ratios of BC.

This means that the line segment AB is parallel to the line segment BC. As point B is common to both segments, the points A, B, and C must lie on the same straight line.

Therefore, the points (2, 3, 4), (-1, -2, 1), and (5, 8, 7) are collinear.

Common mistakes

  • Incorrectly calculating the square root of the sum of squares of direction ratios.
  • Errors in simplifying fractions when converting direction ratios to direction cosines.
  • Confusing direction ratios with direction cosines.
  • Making sign errors when dealing with angles in different quadrants (e.g., cos 135°).

Revision tips

  • Memorize the fundamental relationship between direction cosines and the angles with axes: $l = \cos \alpha, m = \cos \beta, n = \cos \gamma$.
  • Remember the condition $l^2 + m^2 + n^2 = 1$ and how it's used to find direction cosines when angles are equal.
  • Practice converting direction ratios $(a, b, c)$ to direction cosines by dividing each ratio by $\sqrt{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}$.
  • Understand that collinearity of points A, B, C can be shown if the direction ratios of AB are proportional to the direction ratios of BC.

Practice MCQs

Q1. If a line makes angles of 90°, 135°, and 45° with the x, y, and z-axes respectively, what are its direction cosines?

Q2. What are the direction cosines of a line that makes equal angles with all the coordinate axes?

Q3. If the direction ratios of a line are -18, 12, -4, what are its direction cosines?

Q4. For three points A(2, 3, 4), B(-1, -2, 1), and C(5, 8, 7) to be collinear, the direction ratios of AB must be:

Frequently asked questions

What are direction cosines?

Direction cosines of a line are the cosines of the angles that the line makes with the positive directions of the x, y, and z axes. They are usually denoted by $l, m, n$.

How do you find direction cosines if a line makes angles $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ with the axes?

The direction cosines are given by $l = \cos \alpha$, $m = \cos \beta$, and $n = \cos \gamma$.

What is the relationship between direction ratios and direction cosines?

If $a, b, c$ are the direction ratios of a line, then its direction cosines are $l = \frac{a}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$, $m = \frac{b}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$, and $n = \frac{c}{\pm\sqrt{a^2+b^2+c^2}}$.

How can we check if three points are collinear using direction ratios?

Three points A, B, and C are collinear if the direction ratios of AB are proportional to the direction ratios of BC. This means that the ratio of corresponding direction ratios is constant.

What is the condition for a line to be equally inclined to the coordinate axes?

A line is equally inclined to the coordinate axes if the angles it makes with the x, y, and z axes are equal. This implies that its direction cosines are equal, i.e., $l=m=n$, which leads to $l=m=n=\pm 1/\sqrt{3}$.

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