Direction Ratios
and Direction Cosines
9.3
Introduction
Direction ratios provide a convenient way of specifying the direction of a line in three dimensional
space. Direction cosines are the cosines of the angles between a line and the coordinate axes.
In this Block we show how these quantities are calculated.
Prerequisites
Before starting this Block you should . . .
Learning Outcomes
be familiar with two and three dimensional
vectors in cartesian form
be familiar with the trigonometric ratios:
sine, cosine and tangent
Learning Style
After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .
understand what is meant by the terms
direction ratios and direction cosines of a
vector
allocate sucient study time
calculate these quantities given a vector
in cartesian form
attempt every guided exercise and most
of the other exercises
briey revise the prerequisite material
1. The Direction Ratio and Direction Cosines
Consider the point P (4, 5) and its position vector 4i + 5j shown in Figure 1.
P (4,5)
r = 4i + 5j
Figure 1:
The direction ratio of the vector OP is dened to be 4:5. We can interpret this as stating that
to move in the direction of the line OP we must move 4 units in the x direction for every 5 units
in the y direction.
The direction cosines of the vector OP are the cosines of the angles between the vector and each
of the axes. Specically, referring to Figure 1 these are
cos
and
cos
Noting that the length of OP is 42 + 52 = 41 we can write
4
cos = ,
41
5
cos =
41
It is conventional to label the direction cosines as
and m so that
4
= ,
41
5
m=
41
More generally we have the following result:
Key Point
For any vector r = ai + bj, its direction ratio is a : b. Its direction cosines are
=
a
,
a2 + b 2
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
m=
b
a2 + b2
Example Point A has coordinates (3, 5), and point B has coordinates (7, 8).
a) Write down the vector AB. b) Find the direction ratio of the vector AB.
c) Find its direction cosines,
and m. d) Show that
2 + m2 = 1
Solution
a) AB = b a = 4i + 3j. b) The direction
are
4
=
=
2
4 + 32
d)
ratio of AB is therefore 4:3. c) The direction cosines
4
,
5
m=
3
3
=
2
5
+3
42
2 2
4
3
16
9
25
+
=
+
=
=1
+m =
5
5
25 25
25
2
The nal result in the previous example is true in general:
Key Point
If
and m are the direction cosines of a line lying in the xy plane, then
2 + m2 = 1
Now do this exercise
1. P and Q have coordinates (2, 4) and (7, 8) respectively.
a) Find the direction ratio of the vector P Q b) Find the direction cosines of P Q.
Answer
2. Direction Ratios and Cosines in Three Dimensions
The concepts of direction ratio and direction cosines extend naturally to three dimensions.
Consider Figure 2.
Given a vector r = ai + bj + ck its direction ratios are a : b : c. This means that to move in
the direction of the vector we must must move a units in the x direction and b units in the y
direction for every c units in the z direction.
The direction cosines are the cosines of the angles between the vector and each of the axes. It
is conventional to label direction cosines as
, m and n and they are given by
= cos =
a
,
a2 + b2 + c2
m = cos =
b
,
a2 + b 2 + c 2
n = cos =
a
a2 + b 2 + c 2
In general we have the following result:
Key Point
For any vector r = ai + bj + ck its direction ratios are a : b : c. Its direction cosines are
=
a2
a
,
+ b2 + c 2
m=
a2
b
,
+ b2 + c2
n=
a2
c
+ b2 + c 2
where
2 + m2 + n2 = 1
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
z
P(a,b,c)
x
Figure 2:
More exercises for you to try
1. Points A and B have position vectors a = 3i + 2j + 7k, and b = 3i + 4j 5k
respectively. Find
a) AB b) |AB| c) the direction ratios of AB d) the direction cosines (
, m, n) of AB.
e) Show that
2 + m2 + n2 = 1.
2. Find the direction ratios, the direction cosines and the angles that the vector OP
makes with each of the axes when P is the point with coordinates (2,4,3).
3. A line is inclined at 60 to the x axis and 45 to the y axis. Find its inclination to the
z axis.
Answer
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
End of Block 9.3
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
9
4
1. a) 9 : 4, b) , .
97
97
Back to the theory
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
1. a) 6i + 2j 12k, b)
184, c) 6 : 2 : 12, d)
6
2
12
,
,
184
184
184
2
4
3
2. [Link]; , , ; 68.2 , 42.0 , 56.1 .
29
29
29
3. 60 or 120 .
Back to the theory
Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1
9.3: Vectors
