If a line makes angles α, β and γ with the coordinate axes, find the value of cos 2α + cos 2β + cos 2γ.
Given, the line makes the angles α, β and γ respectively with x-axis, y-axis and z-axis.
As per the relation between direction cosines of a line, l2 + m2+n2 = 1 where l,m,n are the direction cosines of a line from x-axis, y-axis and z-axis respectively.
So, we can say that,
cos2α + cos2β + cos2γ = 1 ------ (1)
Now, we should find the value for
cos2α + cos2β + cos2γ
cos2α can be written as 2cos2α -1,
cos2α + cos2β + cos2γ = (2cos2α -1) + (2cos2β -1) + (2cos2γ -1)
= 2 (cos2α+ cos2β + cos2γ) – 3
= 2(1) – 3
[From Equation (1)]
= -1
Therefore,
cos2α + cos2β + cos2γ = -1