Maths · Direction ratios and direction cosines and the angle between two intersecting lines

The number of straight lines that are equally inclined to the threedimensional c

The number of straight lines that are equally inclined to the threedimensional coordinate axes, is

  • A. 2
  • B. 4
  • C. 6 \)
  • D. 8

Step-by-step solution

A line equally inclined to the axes has direction cosines with equal absolute values: |l| = |m| = |n| = 1/√3. There are 2^3 = 8 sign combinations for (l, m, n), but opposite directions (sign flips) represent the same line, so distinct lines = 8/2 = 4.
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