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DefinitionIntermediate

How are direction cosines defined for a position vector OP in vector analysis?

Direction cosines for a position vector OP are defined as the cosines of the angles that OP makes with the three coordinate axes. Specifically, if OP is represented as OP = r = ai + aj + ak, the direction cosines are given by cos(α), cos(β), and cos(γ), where α, β, and γ are the angles between OP and the x, y, and z axes, respectively.

Key points

  • Direction cosines are the cosines of the angles made by the vector with the coordinate axes.
  • For a position vector OP represented as OP = ai + aj + ak, the direction cosines are cos(α), cos(β), and cos(γ).
  • These angles correspond to the x, y, and z axes respectively.
Source:Advanced Engineering Mathematics· Vector analysis 2· p. 725–726
Cover of Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Stroud, K. A, Booth, Dexter J Stroud etc.

4th ed. · Industrial Press, Inc.

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