Solution
Related Formula
For any line making angles α, β, γ with the coordinate axes, the direction cosines satisfy:
² α + ² β + ² γ = 1Core Logic
Given that:
β = (α)/(2) and γ = (α)/(2)Substituting these values into the identity:
² α + 2 ²((α)/(2)) = 1Step 1: Solving the Trigonometric Equation
Using the half-angle identity 2 ²((α)/(2)) = 1 + α:
² α + 1 + α = 1 ² α + α = 0 α ( α + 1) = 0This yields two possible cases:
- α = 0 α = (π)/(2)
- α = -1 α = π
Step 2: Finding Values of β and their Sum
Now we find corresponding values for β = (α)/(2):
- If α = (π)/(2) β₁ = (π)/(4)
- If α = π β₂ = (π)/(2)
Sum of all possible values:
Pattern Recognition
Direction cosines are bounded between [-1, 1]. Always utilize the identities relating double angles or half angles (2 ²θ = 1 + 2θ) to simplify quadratic forms involving different multiples of the coordinate angles.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Three Dimensional Geometry Class 11 Mathematics: Trigonometric Functions