A line passes through the point $(x_1,y_1,z_1)$ and is parallel to the vector $\langle a,b,c\rangle$. Its symmetric form is
A$\dfrac{x-x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{b}=\dfrac{z-z_1}{c}$
B$\dfrac{x+x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y+y_1}{b}=\dfrac{z+z_1}{c}$
C$\dfrac{x-x_1}{x_1}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{y_1}=\dfrac{z-z_1}{z_1}$
D$ax+by+cz=1$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. $\dfrac{x-x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{b}=\dfrac{z-z_1}{c}$
If a line passes through $(x_1,y_1,z_1)$ and has direction ratios $(a,b,c)$, then its vector form is $\vec{r}=\vec{r_0}+\lambda\langle a,b,c\rangle$. Converting this to Cartesian symmetric form gives $\dfrac{x-x_1}{a}=\dfrac{y-y_1}{b}=\dfrac{z-z_1}{c}$. Option D is the equation of a plane, not a line.
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