Assertion (A): A line in space cannot be drawn perpendicular to \( x \), \( y \), and \( z \) axes simultaneously.
Reason (R): For any line making angles \( \alpha, \beta, \gamma \) with the positive directions of \( x \), \( y \), and \( z \) axes respectively, \[ \cos^2\alpha + \cos^2\beta + \cos^2\gamma = 1. \]
A line in three-dimensional space cannot be perpendicular to all three axes simultaneously. If a line is perpendicular to all three axes, the direction cosines \( \cos\alpha, \cos\beta, \cos\gamma \) would all be zero, which would violate the fundamental relation of direction cosines: \[ \cos^2\alpha + \cos^2\beta + \cos^2\gamma = 1. \]
The given equation \( \cos^2\alpha + \cos^2\beta + \cos^2\gamma = 1 \) ensures that at least one of the direction cosines is non-zero, indicating that the line cannot be simultaneously perpendicular to \( x \), \( y \), and \( z \) axes.
Conclusion: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Consider the line \[ \vec{r} = (\hat{i} - 2\hat{j} + 4\hat{k}) + \lambda(-\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - 4\hat{k}) \]
Match List-I with List-II:
List-I | List-II |
---|---|
(A) A point on the given line | (I) \(\left(-\tfrac{1}{\sqrt{21}}, \tfrac{2}{\sqrt{21}}, -\tfrac{4}{\sqrt{21}}\right)\) |
(B) Direction ratios of the line | (II) (4, -2, -2) |
(C) Direction cosines of the line | (III) (1, -2, 4) |
(D) Direction ratios of a line perpendicular to given line | (IV) (-1, 2, -4) |