CHAPTER 8

Applications of trigonometry

8.1 Overview
Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that describes the
relationship between angles and side lengths of triangles.
Trigonometry is widely used in many areas:
• Architecture and engineering: much of architecture
and engineering relies on the formation of triangles
for support structures. When an architect wants
to correctly lay out a curved wall, work out the slope
of a roof, or its correct height, trigonometry is used.
• Music theory: music theory involves sound waves,
and sound waves travel in a repeating wave pattern.
This repeating pattern can be represented graphically
by sine and cosine functions. A single note can be modelled on a sine curve and a chord can be
modelled with multiple sine curves.
• Electrical engineers: the electricity sent to our house requires an understanding of trigonometry.
Power companies use what is called alternating current (AC) to send electricity over long distances.
This is due to the use of transformers, which require the use of alternating current to function. The
alternating current signal has a sinusoidal behaviour.
• Video games: when you see a character smoothly glide over road blocks, they don’t jump vertically
straight up the y-axis, but follow a slightly curved path or a parabolic path. Trigonometric calculations
help animators ensure their characters jump over these obstacles in a realistic manner.
Trigonometry is not limited to the areas listed above. It is used in many others, such as flight engineer-
ing, physics, archaeology, criminology and marine biology. This shows how important an understanding of
trigonometry is since it is used in so many different fields.

LEARNING SEQUENCE
8.1 Overview
8.2 Review of trigonometric ratios
8.3 Applications of trigonometric ratios
8.4 Area of triangles
8.5 Angles of elevation and depression
8.6 The sine rule
8.7 The cosine rule
8.8 True bearings
8.9 Review: exam practice

Fully worked solutions for this chapter are available in the Resources section of your eBookPLUS at
[Link].

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 299

8.2 Review of trigonometric ratios
8.2.1 sin, cos and tan
We have already looked at Pythagoras’ theorem, which enabled us to find the length of one side of a right-
angled triangle given the lengths of the other two. However, to deal with other relationships in right-angled
triangles, we need to turn to trigonometry.
Trigonometry allows us to work with the angles also; that is, deal with relationships between angles and
sides of right-angled triangles. For example, trigonometry enables us to find the length of a side, given the
length of another side and the magnitude of an angle.
So that we are clear about which lines and angles we are describ-
ing, we need to identify the given angle, and name the shorter sides
hypotenuse
with reference to it. For this reason, we label the sides opposite and opposite
adjacent — that is, the sides opposite and adjacent to the given angle.
The diagram shows this relationship between the sides and the angle, 𝜃. θ
The trigonometric ratios are constant for a particular angle, and this adjacent
is the reason the shadow-stick method worked, as demonstrated in
Chapter 4.
Trigonometry uses the ratio of side lengths to calculate the lengths of sides and the size of angles. The ratio
of the opposite side to the adjacent side is called the tangent ratio. This ratio is fixed for any particular angle.
The tangent ratio for any angle, 𝜃, can be found using the result:

opposite
tan 𝜃 =
adjacent

Calculators require a particular sequence of button presses in order to perform this calculation. Investigate
the sequence required for your particular calculator.
For all calculations in trigonometry you will need to make sure that your calculator is in DEGREE MODE.
Check the set-up on your calculator to ensure that this is the case.

WORKED EXAMPLE 1

Using your calculator, calculate the following, correct to 3 decimal places.

8
a. tan 60° b. 15 tan 75° c. d. tan 49° 32′
tan 69°

THINK WRITE/DISPLAY

a. With a scientific calculator, press and enter 60, a. tan 60° = 1.732
then press .
b. Enter 15, press and , enter 75, then press . b. 15 tan 75° = 55.981
8
c. Enter 8, press and , enter 69, then press . c. = 3.071
tan 69°
d. Press , enter 49, press , enter 32, press d. tan 49°32′ = 1.172
, then press .

Note: Some calculators require that the angle size be entered before the trigonometric functions.

300 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 The tangent ratio is used to solve problems involving the opposite side and the adjacent side of a right-angled
triangle. The tangent ratio does not allow us to solve problems that involve the hypotenuse.
The sine ratio (abbreviated to sin; pronounced sine) is the name given to the ratio of the opposite side and
the hypotenuse.
Regardless of the size of the triangle in any right-angled triangle with equal angles, the ratio of the length
of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse will remain the same. The formula for the sine ratio is:

opposite
sin 𝜃 =
hypotenuse

The value of the sine ratio for any angle is found using the sin function on the calculator.
sin 30° = 0.5
Check this on your calculator.

WORKED EXAMPLE 2

Calculate, correct to 3 decimal places:

18
a. sin 57° b. 9 sin 45° c. d. 9.6 sin 26° 12′ .
sin 44°

THINK WRITE/DISPLAY

a. With a scientific calculator, press sin and enter 57, then a. sin 57° = 0.839
press .
b. Enter 9, press and sin , enter 45, then press . b. 9 sin 45° = 6.364
18
c. Enter 18, press and sin , enter 44, then press . c. = 25.912
sin 44°
d. Enter9.6, press and sin , enter 26, press , d. 9.6 sin 26°12′ = 4.238
enter 12, press , then press .

Note: Check the sequence of button presses required by your calculator.

Cosine stands for the sine of the complementary angle. The cosine ratio is found using the formula:

adjacent
cos 𝜃 =
hypotenuse

To calculate the cosine ratio for a given angle on your calculator, use the cos function. On your calculator
check the calculation:
cos 30° = 0.866

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 301

 WORKED EXAMPLE 3

Calculate, correct to 3 decimal places:

21.3 4.5
a. cos 27° b. 6 cos 55° c. d. .
cos 74° cos 82°46′

THINK WRITE/DISPLAY

a. With a scientific calculator, press cos and enter 27, then a. cos 27° = 0.891
press .
b. Enter 6, press and cos , enter 55, then press . b. 6 cos 55° = 3.441
21.3
c. Enter 21.3, press and cos , enter 74, then c. = 77.275
cos 74°
press .
4.5
d. Enter 4.5, press and cos , enter 82, press , d. = 35.740
cos 82°46′
enter 46, press , then press .

Note: Check the sequence requirements for your calculator.

Similarly, if we are given the sine, cosine or tangent of an angle, we are able to calculate the size of that
angle using the calculator. We do this using the inverse functions. On most calculators these are the second
function of the sin, cos and tan functions and are denoted sin−1 , cos−1 and tan−1 .

WORKED EXAMPLE 4

Calculate 𝜃, correct to the nearest degree, given that sin 𝜃 = 0.738.

THINK WRITE/DISPLAY

1. With a scientific calculator, press 2nd F (or SHIFT)

[sin–1] and enter .738, then press .
2. Round your answer to the nearest degree. 𝜃 = 48°
Note: Check the sequence requirements for your calculator.

Problems sometimes supply angles in degrees, minutes and seconds, or require answers to be written in the
form of degrees, minutes and seconds. On scientific calculators, you will use the DMS (Degrees, Minutes,
, ,,
Seconds) function or the º function.

WORKED EXAMPLE 5

Given that tan 𝜃 = 1.647, calculate 𝜃 to the nearest minute.

THINK WRITE/DISPLAY

1. With a scientific calculator, press 2nd F (or SHIFT)

[tan–1] and enter 1.647, then press .
2. Convert your answer to degrees and minutes by 𝜃 = 58°44′
pressing .

302 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 1

Trigonometric ratios Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.2 Review of trigonometric ratios

1. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 3 decimal places.
WE1

8.6
a. tan 57° b. 9 tan 63° c. d. tan 33° 19′
tan 12°
2. WE2 Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 3 decimal places.
14.5 48
a. sin 37° b. 9.3 sin 13° c. d.
sin 72° sin 67° 40′
3. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 3 decimal places.
WE3

6
a. cos 45° b. 0.25 cos 9° c. d. 5.9 cos 2°3′
cos 24°
4. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 3 decimal places, if necessary.
a. sin 30° b. cos 15° c. tan 45° d. 48 tan 85°

5. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 3 decimal places, if necessary.
4.5 0.5
a. 128 cos 60° b. 9.35 sin 8° c. d.
cos 32° tan 20°
6. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 2 decimal places.

a. sin 24°38′ b. tan 57°21′

15
c. cos 84°40′ d.
sin 72°

7. Calculate the value of each of the following, correct to 2 decimal places.

a. 9 cos 55°30′ b. 4.9 sin 35° 50′
19
c. 2.39 tan 8°59′ d.
tan 67°45′
8. Calculate the following to 2 decimal places.
49.6 0.84
a. b.
cos 47°25′ sin 75°5′
9. WE4 Calculate 𝜃, correct to the nearest degree, given that:
a. sin 𝜃 = 0.167 b. sin 𝜃 = 0.277.
10. Calculate 𝜃, correct to the nearest degree, given that:
a. sin 𝜃 = 0.698 b. cos 𝜃 = 0.173
11. WE5 Calculate 𝜃, correct to the nearest minute, given that:
a. cos 𝜃 = 0.058 b. tan 𝜃 = 1.517.
12. Calculate 𝜃, correct to the nearest minute, given that:
a. tan 𝜃 = 0.931 b. cos 𝜃 = 0.854

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 303

8.3 Applications of trigonometric ratios
8.3.1 Trigonometric ratios
It is important to identify and label the features given in a
right-angled triangle. The labelling convention of a right-
angled triangle is as follows:
The longest side of a right-angled triangle is always called
the hypotenuse and is opposite the right angle. The other two
sides are named in relation to the reference angle, 𝜃. The oppo-
site side is opposite the reference angle, and the adjacent side
is next to the reference angle.

When Egyptians first used a sundial around

1500 BC they were using trigonometry.
Opposite Hypotenuse

θ
Adjacent

8.3.2 The sine ratio

The sine ratio is used when we want to find an unknown value given two out of the three following values:
opposite, hypotenuse and reference angle.

Opposite Hypotenuse

The sine ratio of 𝜃 is written as sin(𝜃) and is defined as follows:

opposite O
sin (𝜃) = or sin (𝜃) =
hypotenuse H

The inverse sine function is used to find the value of the unknown reference angle given the lengths of the
hypotenuse and opposite side.

O
𝜃 = sin−1 (
H)

304 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
WORKED EXAMPLE 6

Calculate the length of x correct to 2 decimal places.

10 cm x

59°

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label all the given information on the triangle.

Hypotenuse
Opposite

10 cm x

59°
Angle θ

O
2. Since we have been given the combination of opposite, sin (𝜃) =
H
hypotenuse and the reference angle 𝜃, we need to use the
x
sine ratio. Substitute the given values into the ratio sin (59°) =
10
equation.
3. Rearrange the equation to make the unknown the subject x = 10 sin (59°)
and solve. = 8.57
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. The opposite side length is 8.57 cm.

WORKED EXAMPLE 7

Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal

places.

8.8 cm 5.3 cm

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label all the given information on the triangle.

Hypotenuse Opposite

8.8 cm 5.3 cm

θ
Angle θ

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 305

 O
2. Since we have been given the combination of opposite, sin (𝜃) =
H
hypotenuse and the reference angle 𝜃, we need to use the 5.3
sine ratio. Substitute the given values into the ratio =
8.8
equation.
5.3
3. To find the angle 𝜃, we need to use the inverse sine 𝜃 = sin−1
( 8.8 )
function.
= 37.03°
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode.

8.3.3 The cosine ratio

The cosine ratio is used when we want to find an unknown value given two out of the three following values:
adjacent, hypotenuse and reference angle.

Hypotenuse

θ
Adjacent

The cosine ratio of 𝜃 is written as cos(𝜃) and is defined as follows:

adjacent A
cos (𝜃) = or cos (𝜃) =
hypotenuse H

The inverse cosine function is used to find the value of the unknown reference angle when given lengths of
the hypotenuse and adjacent side.

A
𝜃 = cos−1 (
H)

WORKED EXAMPLE 8

Calculate the length of y correct to 2 decimal places.

4.71 mm
y 63.25°

306 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label all the given information on the triangle. Adjacent

4.71 mm
y 63.25°
Hypotenuse
Angle θ

A
2. Since we have been given the combination of adjacent, cos (𝜃) =
H
hypotenuse and the reference angle 𝜃, we need to use the 4.71
cosine ratio. Substitute the given values into the ratio cos (63.25°) =
y
equation.
4.71
3. Rearrange the equation to make the unknown the subject y=
cos (63.25°)
and solve.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. = 10.46
The length of the hypotenuse is
10.46 mm.

WORKED EXAMPLE 9

Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

4.2 cm

θ
3.3 cm

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label all the given information on the triangle.

Hypotenuse

4.2 cm

θ
3.3 cm Adjacent
Angle θ

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 307

 Adjacent A
2. Since we have been given the combination of cos(𝜃) = =
Hypotenuse H
adjacent, hypotenuse and the reference angle 𝜃, we
need to use the cosine ratio. Substitute the given 3.3
cos(𝜃) =
values into the ratio equation. 4.2
3.3
3. To find angle 𝜃, we need to use the inverse cosine 𝜃 = cos−1
( 4.2 )
function.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. = 38.21°

8.3.4 The tangent ratio

The tangent ratio is used when we want to find an unknown value given two out of the three following values:
opposite, adjacent and reference angle.

Opposite

θ
Adjacent

The tangent ratio of 𝜃 is written as tan(𝜃) and is defined as follows:

opposite O
tan (𝜃) = or tan (𝜃) =
adjacent A

The inverse tangent function is used to find the value of the unknown reference angle given the lengths of
the adjacent and opposite sides.

O
𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
A

WORKED EXAMPLE 10

Calculate the length of x correct to 2 decimal places.

58°
9.4 cm

308 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Label all the given information on the triangle.
Opposite

x
Angle θ
58°
9.4 cm Adjacent

O
2. Since we have been given the combination of tan (𝜃) =
A
opposite, adjacent and the reference angle 𝜃, we x
need to use the tangent ratio. Substitute the given tan (58°) =
9.4
values into the ratio equation.
3. Rearrange the equation to make the unknown the x = 9.4 tan (58°)
subject and solve. x = 15.04
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. The opposite side length is 15.04 cm.

WORKED EXAMPLE 11

Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

8.8 cm

6.7 cm

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label all the given information on the triangle. Opposite

8.8 cm

Adjacent

6.7 cm

θ Angle θ

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 309

 O
2. Since we have been given the combination of tan (𝜃) =
A
opposite, adjacent and the reference angle 𝜃, we
8.8
need to use the tangent ratio. Substitute the given =
values into the ratio equation. 6.7
8.8
3. To find the angle 𝜃, we need to use the inverse 𝜃 = tan−1
( 6.7 )
tangent function.
= 52.72°
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode.

8.3.5 The unit circle

If we draw a circle of radius 1 in the Cartesian plane with its centre located at the origin, then we can locate
the coordinates of any point on the circumference of the circle by using right-angled triangles.
y
1.0

B
0.75

0.5
1 b
0.25

O θ a
A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

In this diagram, the length of the hypotenuse is 1 and the coordinates of B can be found using the
trigonometric ratios.
A O
cos (𝜃) = and sin (𝜃) =
H H
a b
= =
1 1
=a =b
Therefore the base length of the triangle, a, is equal to cos(𝜃), and the height of the triangle, b, is equal to
sin(𝜃). This gives the coordinates of B as (cos(𝜃), sin(𝜃)).

310 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 For example, if we have a right-angled triangle with a reference angle of 30° and a hypotenuse of length 1,
then the base length of the triangle will be 0.87 and the height of the triangle will be 0.5, as shown in the
following triangle.
y
1.0

0.75
(cos(30°), sin(30°))
0.5 B

0.25 0.5

O 30° 0.87 A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

Similarly, if we calculate the value of cos(30°) and sin(30°), we get 0.87 and 0.5 respectively.
We can actually extend this definition to any point B on the unit circle as having the coordinates
(cos(𝜃), sin(𝜃)), where 𝜃 is the angle measured in an anticlockwise direction.
y
1.0

B 0.75
(cos(θ), sin(θ))
0.5

0.25
θ
A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 O 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 311

Extending sine and cosine to 180°
We can place any right-angled triangle with a hypotenuse of 1 in the unit circle so that one side of the triangle
lies on the positive x-axis. The following diagram shows a triangle with base length 0.64, height 0.77 and
reference angle 50°.
y
1.0
(cos(50°), sin(50°))
0.75 B

0.5
0.77
0.25

O 50° 0.64 A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

The coordinates of point B in this triangle are (0.64, 0.77) or (cos(50°), sin(50°)).
Now reflect the triangle in the y-axis as shown in the following diagram.
y
1.0
(cos(130°), sin(130°)) (cos(50°), sin(50°))
B′ 0.75 B

0.5
0.77 0.77
0.25
O
A′ 0.64 50° 50° 0.64 A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

We can see that the coordinates of point B′ are (−0.64, 0.77) or (− cos(50°), sin(50°)).
We have previously determined the coordinates of any point B on the circumference of the unit circle as
(cos(𝜃), sin(𝜃)), where 𝜃 is the angle measured in an anticlockwise direction. In this instance the value of
𝜃 = 180° − 50 = 130°.
Therefore, the coordinates of point B′ are (cos(130°), sin(130°)).
This discovery can be extended when we place any right-angled triangle with a hypotenuse of length 1
inside the unit circle.

312 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 y
1.0

0.75 (cos(θ), sin(θ))

B
0.5

0.25

O θ A
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

As previously determined, the point B has coordinates (cos(𝜃), sin(𝜃)).

Reflecting this triangle in the y-axis gives:
y
1.0

(–cos(θ), sin(θ)) 0.75

B′
0.5

0.25
180° – θ
A′ θ
x
–1.0 –0.75 –0.5 –0.25 0 O 0.25 0.5 0.75 1.0
–0.25

–0.5

–0.75

–1.0

So the coordinates of point B′ are (− cos(𝜃), sin(𝜃)). We also know that the coordinates of B′ are
(cos(180 − 𝜃), sin(180 − 𝜃)) from the general rule about the coordinates of any point on the unit circle.
Equating the two coordinates for B′ gives us the following equations:
− cos (𝜃) = cos (180 − 𝜃)
sin (𝜃) = sin (180 − 𝜃)
So, to calculate the values of the sine and cosine ratios for angles up to 180°, we can use:

cos (𝜃) = − cos (180 − 𝜃)

sin (𝜃) = sin (180 − 𝜃)

Remember that if two angles sum to 180°, then they are supplements of each other. So if we are calculating
the sine or cosine of an angle between 90° and 180°, then start by finding the supplement of the given angle.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 313

 WORKED EXAMPLE 12

Calculate the values of:

a. sin (140°) b. cos (160°)

giving your answers to 2 decimal places.

THINK WRITE

a. 1. Calculate the supplement of the given angle. a. 180° − 140° = 40°

2. Calculate the sine of the supplement angle correct to sin (40°) = 0.642787 …
2 decimal places. = 0.64 (to 2 decimal places)
3. The sine of an obtuse angle is equal to the sine of its sin (140°) = sin (40°)
supplement. = 0.64 (to 2 decimal places)
b. 1. Calculate the supplement of the given angle. b. 180° − 160° = 20°
2. Calculate the cosine of the supplement angle correct cos(20° ) = 0.939 692 …
to 2 decimal places. = 0.94 (to 2 decimal places)
3. The cosine of an obtuse angle is equal to the cos (160°) = − cos (20°)
negative cosine of its supplement. = −0.94 (to 2 decimal places)

8.3.6 SOH–CAH–TOA
Trigonometric ratios are relationships between the sides and angles of a right-angled triangle.
In solving trigonometric ratio problems for sine, cosine and tangent,
we need to:
1. determine which ratio to use
2. write the relevant equation
3. substitute values from given information
4. make sure the calculator is in degree mode Opposite Hypotenuse
5. solve the equation for the unknown lengths, or use the inverse
trigonometric functions to find unknown angles.
To assist in remembering the trigonometric ratios, the mnemonic θ
SOH − CAH − TOA has been developed. Adjacent

SOH − CAH − TOA stands for:

• Sine is Opposite over Hypotenuse
• Cosine is Adjacent over Hypotenuse
• Tangent is Opposite over Adjacent.

Interactivity: Finding the angle when two sides are known (int-6046)
Interactivity: Trigonometric ratios (int-2577)

314 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 2

The unit circle Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.3 Applications of trigonometric ratios

1. WE6 Calculate the value of x correct to 2 decimal places.

2.7 cm
x

53°

2. Calculate the value of x.

x
5.3 mm

30°

3. WE7 Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

6.3 cm 4.6 cm

θ
4. Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

8.2 mm
θ

11.5 mm

5. WE8 Calculate the value of y correct to 2 decimal places.

y
25.2°

1.8 cm

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 315

6. Calculate the value of y correct to 2 decimal places.
y
34.5°

3.19 cm

7. WE9 Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

16.3 mm

θ
4.5 mm
8. Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.
6.1 m

7.5 m

9. WE10 Calculate the value of x correct to 2 decimal places.

27°
25.8 cm
10. Calculate the value of y correct to 2 decimal places.
y
60°

1.3 cm

11. WE11 Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

9.5 cm

12.7 cm

316 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
12. Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.

2.35 cm

θ
3.19 cm
13. WE12 Calculate the values of:
[Link] (125°) b. cos (152°)
giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places.
14. Calculate the values of:
a. sin (99.2°) b. cos (146.7°)
giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places.
15. Calculate the value of the unknown angle, 𝜃, correct to 2 decimal places.
6.4 mm

5.7 mm

θ
11.3 mm
16. A kitesurfer has a kite of length 2.5 m and strings of length 7 m as shown.

α
7m 2.5 m

θ
7m

Calculate the values of the angles 𝜃 and 𝛼, correct to 2 decimal places.

17. A yacht race follows a triangular course as shown below. Calculate, correct to 1 decimal place:
y
A C
49°

8.5 km

a. the distance of the final leg, y b. the total distance of the course.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 317

18. A truss is used to build a section of a roof. If the vertical
height of the truss is 1.5 metres and the span (horizontal
distance between the walls) is 8 metres wide, calculate the
pitch of the roof (its angle with the horizontal) correct to 1
decimal place.

19. A 2.5 m ladder is placed against a wall. The base of the ladder is 1.7 m from the wall.

Calculate the angle, correct to 2 decimal places, that the ladder makes with the ground.
a.
Calculate how far the ladder reaches up the wall, correct to 2 decimal places.
b.
20. A dog training obstacle course ABCDEA is shown in the diagram below with point B vertically above
point D.
A 22 m
12.23°
5.2 m
20° E C
B

20.5 m

48.48° 54.8°
15.7 m D
Calculate the total length of the obstacle course in metres, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal
places.

8.4 Area of triangles

8.4.1 Area of triangles
You should be familiar with calculating the area of a triangle using the
rule: area = 12 bh where b is the base length and h is the perpendicular
height of the triangle. However, for many triangles we are not given the B
perpendicular height, so this rule cannot be directly used.
Take the triangle ABC as shown in right.
c h a
If h is the perpendicular height of this triangle, then we can calculate
the value of h by using the sine ratio:
h A b C
sin (A) =
c

318 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 Transposing this equation gives h = c sin (A), which we can substitute into the rule for the area of the
triangle to give:

1
Area = bc sin (A)
𝟐

Note: We can label any sides of the triangle a, b and c, and this formula can be used as long as we have the
length of two sides of a triangle and know the value of the included angle.

WORKED EXAMPLE 13

Calculate the area of the following triangles. Give both answers correct to 2 decimal places.
a.

7 cm

63°
5 cm

b. A triangle with sides of length 8 cm and 7 cm, and an included angle of 55°.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
B
a. 1. Label the vertices of the triangle. a.

7 cm

63°
A C
5 cm
2. Write down the known information. b = 5 cm
c = 7 cm
A = 63°
1
3. Substitute the known values into the formula to Area = bc sin (A)
2
calculate the area of the triangle.
1
= × 5 × 7 × sin (63°)
2
= 15.592 …
= 15.59 (to 2 decimal places)
4. Write the answer, remembering to include the units. The area of the triangle is 15.59 cm2
correct to 2 decimal places.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 319

 b. 1. Draw a diagram to represent the triangle. b. C

8 cm

55°
A B
7 cm
2. Write down the known information. b = 8 cm
c = 7 cm
A = 55°
1
3. Substitute the known values into the formula to Area = bc sin (A)
2
calculate the area of the triangle. 1
= × 8 × 7 × sin (55°)
2
= 22.936 …
= 22.94 (to 2 decimal places)
4. Write the answer, remembering to include the units. The area of the triangle is 22.94 cm2
correct to 2 decimal places.

8.4.2 Heron’s formula

Heron’s formula is a way of calculating the area of the triangle if you are given all three side lengths. It is
named after Hero of Alexandria, who was a Greek engineer and mathematician.

a+b+c
Step 1: Calculate s, the value of half of the perimeter of the triangle: s =
𝟐
√
Step 2: Use the following formula to calculate the area of the triangle: A= s(s −a)(s−b)(s−c)

WORKED EXAMPLE 14

Use Heron’s formula to calculate the area of the following

triangle. Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
8.4 cm 6.5 cm

10.3 cm
THINK WRITE

a+b+c
1. Calculate the value of s. s=
2
6.5 + 8.4 + 10.3
=
2
25.2
=
2
= 12.6

320 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 √
2. Use Heron’s formula to calculate the area A= s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c)
√
of the triangle correct to 1 decimal place. = 12.6 (12.6 − 6.5) (12.6 − 8.4) (12.6 − 10.3)
√
= 12.6 × 6.1 × 4.2 × 2.3
√
= 742.4676
≈ 27.2
3. State the area and give the units. A = 27.2 cm2

WORKED EXAMPLE 15

Calculate the area of a triangle with sides of 4 cm, 7 cm and 9 cm, giving your answer correct to 2
decimal places.
THINK WRITE

1 Write down the known information. a = 4 cm

b = 7 cm
c = 9 cm
a+b+c
2 Calculate the value of s (the semi-perimeter). s=
2
4+7+9
=
2
20
=
2
= 10
√
3 Substitute the values into Heron’s formula to Area = s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c)
calculate the area. √
= 10 (10 − 4) (10 − 7) (10 − 9)
√
= 10 × 6 × 3 × 1
√
= 180

= 13.416 …
≈ 13.42
4 Write the answer, remembering to include The area of the triangle is 13.42 cm2 correct
the units. to 2 decimal places.

Interactivity: Using Heron’s formula to find the area of a triangle (int-6475)

Interactivity: Area of triangles (int-6483)

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 321

 Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 3 Area of triangles Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.4 Area of triangles

1. WE13 Calculate the area of the following triangle correct to 2 decimal places.

11.9 mm

38°
14.4 mm

2. Calculate the area of a triangle with sides of length 14.3 mm and 6.5 mm, and an included angle of 32°.
Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.
3. A triangle has one side length of 8 cm and an adjacent angle of 45.5°. If the area of the triangle is
18.54 cm2 , calculate the length of the other side that encloses the 45.5° angle, correct to 2 decimal places.
4. The smallest two sides of a triangle are 10.2 cm and 16.2 cm respectively, and the largest angle of the
same triangle is 104.5°. Calculate the area of the triangle correct to 2 decimal places.
5. WE15 Calculate the area of a triangle with sides of 11 cm, 12 cm and 13 cm, giving your answer correct to

2 decimal places.
6. Calculate the area of a triangle with sides of 22.2 mm, 13.5 mm and 10.1 mm, giving your answer correct
to 2 decimal places.
7. Calculate the area of the following triangles, correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.
a. b.
10.7 mm
9.1 mm
11.7 cm

12.4 mm
19.4 cm

c. d. 18.76 cm
74°

31.2 cm

19.9 cm 65°
38°
22.5 cm

8. Calculate the area of the following triangles, correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.
a. Triangle ABC, given a = 12 cm, b = 15 cm, c = 20 cm
b. Triangle ABC, given a = 10.5 mm, b = 11.2 mm and C = 40°

322 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 9. A triangular field is defined by three trees, each of which sits in one of the corners of the field,
as shown in the following diagram.

2.3 km
1.9 km

2.5 km

Calculate the area of the field in km2 correct to 3 decimal places.

10. A triangle has side lengths of 3x, 4x and 5x. If the area of the triangle is 121.5 cm2 , use any appropriate
method to determine the value of x.
11. A triangular-shaped piece of jewellery has two side lengths of 8 cm and an area of 31.98 cm2 . Use trial
and error to calculate the length of the third side correct to 1 decimal place.
12. Calculate the area of the following shape correct to 2 decimal places.
22 cm
69°

10 cm

8.5 Angles of elevation and depression

8.5.1 Angles of elevation and depression
C
(Object)

An angle of elevation is the angle between a horizontal Line of sight

line from the observer to an object that is above the
horizontal line.
θ (Angle of elevation)
A Horizontal line B
(Observer)

(Observer)
Horizontal line
Q
P θ (Angle of depression)

An angle of depression is the angle between a horizontal

line from the observer to an object that is below the Line of sight
horizontal line.

R (Object)

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 323

 WORKED EXAMPLE 16

From a point 50 m from the foot of a building, the angle of elevation to the top of
the building is measured as 40°. h
Calculate the height, h, of the building, correct to the nearest metre.
40°
50 m

THINK WRITE
1. Label the sides of the triangle opposite, adjacent
and hypotenuse. hypotenuse h
opposite
40°
50 m
adjacent
2. Choose the tangent ratio because we are finding the
opposite side and have been given the adjacent side.
opposite
3. Write the formula. tan 𝜃 =
adjacent
h
4. Substitute for 𝜃 and the adjacent side. tan 40° =
50
5. Make h the subject of the equation. h = 50 tan 40°
6. Calculate. = 42 m
7. Give a written answer. The height of the building is
approximately 42 m.

A similar method for finding the solution is used for problems that involve an angle of depression.

WORKED EXAMPLE 17

When an aeroplane in flight is 2 km from a runway, the angle of 2 km

depression to the runway is 10° . 10°
Calculate the altitude of the aeroplane, correct to the nearest metre. h

THINK WRITE
1. Label the sides of the triangle opposite, adjacent adjacent
and hypotenuse. 2 km
10°
opposite h
hypotenuse

2. Choose the tangent ratio because we are finding the

opposite side given the adjacent side.
opposite
3. Write the formula. tan 𝜃 =
adjacent
h
4. Substitute for 𝜃 and the adjacent side, converting tan 10° =
2000
2 km to metres.

324 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 5. Make h the subject of the equation. h = 2000 tan 10°
6. Calculate. = 353 m
7. Give a written answer. The altitude of the aeroplane is
approximately 353 m.

We use angles of elevation and depression to locate the positions of objects above or below the horizontal
(reference) line. Angles of elevation and angles of depression are equal as they are alternate angles.

Angle of depression

Angle of elevation

WORKED EXAMPLE 18

The angle of depression from a scuba diver at the water’s surface to a hammerhead shark on the
sea floor of the Great Barrier Reef is 40°. The depth of the water is 35 m. Calculate the horizontal
distance from the scuba diver to the shark, correct to 2 decimal places.

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw a diagram to represent the information. x
40°

35 m

2. Label all the given information on the triangle. Adjacent

x
40°

Angle θ 35 m

Opposite
O
3. Since we have been given the combination of tan (𝜃) =
A
opposite, adjacent and the reference angle 𝜃, we 35
need to use the tangent ratio. Substitute the given tan (40°) =
x
values into the ratio equation.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 325

 35
4. Rearrange the equation to make the unknown the x=
tan (40°)
subject and solve.
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. = 41.71
The horizontal distance from the
scuba diver to the shark is 41.71 m.

Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 4

Angles of elevation and depression Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.5 Angles of elevation and depression

1. WE17A plane is 36 km from an airstrip, measured in a line from the cockpit to start of the airstrip. The
angle of depression is 65°. How high is the plane correct to 2 decimal places?
2. The angle of elevation from a hammerhead shark on the sea floor of the Great Barrier Reef to a scuba
diver at the water’s surface is 35°. The depth of the water is 33 m. Calculate the horizontal distance from
the shark to the scuba diver.
3. WE18 The angle of depression from a scuba diver at the water’s surface to a hammerhead shark on the
sea floor of the Great Barrier Reef is 41°. The depth of the water is 32 m. Calculate the horizontal
distance from the scuba diver to the shark.
4. Calculate the angle of elevation of the kite from the ground, correct to 2 decimal places.

34 m

16.2 m
5. Calculate the angle of depression from the boat to the treasure at the bottom of the sea, correct to
2 decimal places.

30 m

22 m

326 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 6. A crocodile is fed on a ‘jumping crocodile tour’ on the Adelaide River. The tour
guide dangles a piece of meat on a stick at an angle of elevation of 60° from
the boat, horizontal to the water. If the stick is 2 m long and held 1 m
above the water, determine the vertical distance the crocodile has to
jump out of the water to get the meat, correct to 2 decimal places.
7. A ski chair lift operates from the Mt Buller village and has an angle of elevation
of 45° to the top of the Federation ski run. If the vertical height is 707 m,
calculate the ski chair lift length, correct to 2 decimal places.
8. A student uses a clinometer to measure an angle of elevation of 50° from the
ground to the top of Uluru. If the student is standing 724 m from the
base of Uluru, determine the height of Uluru correct to 2 decimal places.

9. A tourist in Melbourne looks down from the glass floor of Eureka Tower’s Skydeck to see people below
on the footpath. If the angle of depression is 88° and the people are 11 m from the base of the tower,
calculate how high up the tourist is standing in the glass cube.
10. A student uses a clinometer to measure the height of his house. The angle of elevation is 54°. He is
1.5 m tall and stands 7 m from the base of the house. Calculate the height of the house correct to
2 decimal places.

54°

1.5 m

7m

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 327

11. A tourist 1.72 m tall is standing 50 m away from the base of the Sydney Opera House. The Opera House
is 65 m tall. Calculate the angle of elevation, to the nearest degree, from the tourist to the top of the
Opera House.

12. A parachutist falls from a height of 5000 m to the ground while travelling over a horizontal distance of
150 m. Determine the angle of depression of the descent, correct to 2 decimal places.
13. Air traffic controllers in two control towers, which are both 87 m high, spot a plane at an altitude of
500 metres. The angle of elevation from tower A to the plane is 5° and from tower B to the plane is 7°.
Calculate the distance between the two control towers correct to the nearest metre.
14. A footballer takes a set shot at goal, with the graph showing the path y
20 (3, 18.5)
that the ball took as it travelled towards the goal.
18 (2, 16.5)
If the footballer’s eye level is at 1.6 metres, calculate the angle of (4, 16.5)
16

Height (metres)
elevation from his eyesight to the ball, correct to 2 decimal places, 14
after: 12
(1, 10.5) (5, 10.5)
a. 1 second 10
b. 2 seconds 8
c. 3 seconds 6
4
d. 4 seconds
2
e. 5 seconds
0 x
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Time (seconds)

8.6 The sine rule

8.6.1 The sine rule
The sine rule can be used to find the side length or angle in non-right-angled triangles.
To help us solve non-right-angled triangle problems, the labelling convention of a non-right-angled triangle,
ABC, is as follows:
Angle A is opposite side length a.
Angle B is opposite side length b. B
c a
Angle C is opposite side length c.
The largest angle will always be opposite the longest side length, and
A C
the smallest angle will always be opposite to the smallest side length. b

328 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
Formulating the sine rule
We can divide an acute non-right-angled triangle into two right-angled triangles as shown in the following
diagrams.

B
c a c a
h
A C A C
b
If we apply trigonometric ratios to the two right-angled triangles we get:
h h
= sin (A) = sin (C)
c and a
h = c sin (A) h = a sin (C)
Equating the two expressions for h gives:
c sin (A) = a sin (C)
a c
=
sin (A) sin (C)
In a similar way, we can split the triangle into two using side a as the base, giving us:
b c
=
sin (B) sin (C)
This gives us the sine rule:

a b c
= =
sin (A) sin (B) sin (C)

We can apply the sine rule to determine all of the angles and side lengths of a triangle if we are given either:
• 2 side lengths and 1 corresponding angle
• 1 side length and 2 angles.

WORKED EXAMPLE 19

Find the value of the unknown length x, correct to 2 decimal

places. x cm

10 cm
40°

35°

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Label the triangle with the given information, using Side a

the conventions for labelling. Side b
Angle A is opposite to side a. x cm
Angle B is opposite to side b.
10 cm
40°

35°
Angle A Angle B

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 329

 a b
2. Substitute the known values into the sine rule. =
sin (A) sin (B)
x 10
=
sin (35°) sin (40°)
x 10
3. Rearrange the equation to make x the subject and =
sin (35°) sin (40°)
solve.
10 sin (35°)
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. x=
sin (40°)
x = 8.92

4. Write the answer. The unknown side length x is 8.92 cm.

WORKED EXAMPLE 20

A non-right-angled triangle has values of side b = 12.5, angle A = 25.3° and side a = 7.4.
Calculate the value of angle B, correct to 2 decimal places.

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Draw a non-right-angled triangle, labelling with the Side a 7.4

given information. Side b
B
Angle A is opposite to side a.
Angle B is opposite to side b. 12.5 Angle B

25.3°
Angle A
a b
2. Substitute the known values into the sine rule. =
sin (A) sin (B)
7.4 12.5
=
sin (25.3°) sin (B°)

7.4 12.5
3. Rearrange the equation to make sin(B) the subject =
sin (25.3°) sin (B)
and solve.
7 .4 sin (B) = 12.5 sin (25.3°)
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode.
12.5 sin (25.3°)
sin (B) =
7.4
12.5 sin (25.3°)
B = sin−1
( 7.4 )
= 46.21°
4. Write the answer. Angle B is 46.21°.

330 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
8.6.2 Determining which area formula to use
In some situations you may have to perform some calculations to determine either a side length or angle size
before calculating the area. This may involve using the sine rule. The following table should help if you are
unsure what to do.

Given What to do Example

The base length and

perpendicular height 1
Use Area = bh.
2 8 cm

13 cm

Two side lengths and the

included angle 1
Use Area = bc sin (A) .
2 5 cm

104°

9 cm

Three side lengths

Use Heron’s
√ formula: 22 mm
Area = s (s − a) (s − b) (s − c) ,
12 mm
a+b+c
where s =
2
19 mm

Two angles and one side Use the sine rule to determine a second
length side length, and then use 75°
1
Area = bc sin (A) .
2
Note: The third angle may have to be 29°
calculated. 9 cm

Two side lengths and an Use the sine rule to calculate the other
angle opposite one of angle opposite one of these lengths,
these lengths then determine the final angle before
14 cm
1
using Area = bc sin (A) . 72°
2
Note: Check if the ambiguous case is
applicable. 12 cm

Interactivity: The sine rule (int-6275)

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 331

 Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 5 The sine rule Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.6 The sine rule

1. WE19 Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

12 cm
x cm

45°
55°

2. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

x cm
16 cm

76°

39°

3. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

8.45 cm x cm

53°
48.2°

4. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to the nearest cm.

x cm

84°
46°
13.1 cm

332 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 5. Calculate the area of the following triangles, correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.
a. Triangle DEF, given d = 19.8 cm, e = 25.6 cm and D = 33°
b. Triangle PQR, given p = 45.9 cm, Q = 45.5° and R = 67.2°
6. WE20 A non-right-angled triangle has values of side b = 10.5, angle A = 22.3° and side a = 8.4.
Calculate the value of angle B correct to 1 decimal place.
7. A non-right-angled triangle has values of side b = 7.63, angle A = 15.8° and side a = 4.56. Calculate
the value of angle B correct to 1 decimal place.
8. For triangle ABC shown, find the acute value of 𝜃 A
correct to 1 decimal place.
15 22

C θ 30° B
9. If triangle ABC has values b = 19.5, A = 25.3° and a = 11.4, find both possible angle values of B
correct to 2 decimal places.
10. Find all the side lengths, correct to 2 decimal places, for the triangle ABC , given a = 10.5, B = 60° and
C = 72°.
11. Part of a roller-coaster track is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, ABC, as shown in the following
triangle. Calculate the track length AB correct to 2 decimal places.

75°

A C
40 m

12. The shape and length of a water slide follows the path of PY and YZ in the following diagram.
P

54° 31°
X Y Z
10 m
Calculate, correct to 2 decimal places:
the total length of the water slide
a. b. the height of the water slide, PX.
13. Calculate the two unknown angles shown in the diagram below, correct to 1 decimal place.

10.5 cm 7 cm
7 cm
24° x y

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 333

14. At a theme park, the pirate ship swings back and forth
on a pendulum. The centre of the pirate ship is secured
by a large metal rod that is 5.6 metres in length. If one
of the swings covers an angle of 122°, determine the
distance between the point where the rod meets the
ship at both extremes of the swing. Give your answers
correct to 2 decimal places.
15. Andariel went for a ride on her dune buggy in the desert.
She rode east for 6 km, then turned 125° to the left
for the second stage of her ride. After 5 minutes riding
in the same direction, she turned to the left again, and from
there travelled the 5.5 km straight back to her starting position.
How far did Andariel travel in the second section of her ride, correct to 2 decimal places?
16. A triangle ABC has values a = 11 cm, b = 14 cm and A = 31.3°. Answer the following correct to
2 decimal places.
a. Calculate the size of the other two angles of the triangle.
b. Calculate the other side length of the triangle.
c. Calculate the area of the triangle.
17. A triangle has two sides of length 9.5 cm and 13.5 cm, and one angle of 40.2°. Calculate all three
possible areas of the triangle correct to 2 decimal places.
18. A BMX racing track encloses two triangular sections, as shown in the following diagram.

330 m
425 m
445 m
93°

35°
550 m

Calculate the total area that the race track encloses to the nearest m2 .
19. A dry field is in the shape of a quadrilateral, as shown in the following diagram. The longest diagonal is
164.228 m.

87 m
104°

100°
111°

125 m

45°

Determine how much grass seed is needed to cover the field in 1 mm of grass seed.
Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places.
334 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
8.7 The cosine rule
8.7.1 Formulating the cosine rule
The cosine rule, like the sine rule, is used to find the length or angle in a non-right-angled triangle. We use
the same labelling conventions for non-right-angled triangles as when using the sine rule.
As with the sine rule, the cosine rule is derived from a non-right-angled triangle being divided into two
right-angled triangles, where the base side lengths are equal to (b − x) and x.

B
c a c a
h
A C A C
x b–x x b–x
b
Using Pythagoras’ Theorem we get:
c2 = x2 + h2 a2 = (b − x)2 + h2
and
h2 = c2 − x2 h2 = a2 − (b − x)2
Equating the two expressions for h2 gives:
c2 − x2 = a2 − (b − x)2
a2 = (b − x)2 + c2 − x2
a2 = b2 − 2bx + c2
Substituting the trigonometric ratio x = c cos (A) from the right-angled triangle into the expression, we get:
a2 = b2 − 2b (c cos (A)) + c2
= b2 + c2 − 2bc cos (A)
This is known as the cosine rule, and we can interchange the pronumerals to get:

a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A

b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos B

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C

We can apply the cosine rule to determine all of the angles and side lengths of a triangle if we are given
either:
• 3 side lengths or
• 2 side lengths and the included angle.
The cosine rule can also be transposed to give:

b2 + c2 − a2
cos (A) =
2bc
a + c2 − b2
2
cos (B) =
2ac
a + b 2 − c2
2
cos (C) =
2ab

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 335

 WORKED EXAMPLE 21

Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

x cm

10 cm

35° 12.5 cm

THINK WRITE/DRAW
1. Draw the non-right-angled triangle, labelling with Side a
the given information. Side b
x cm
Angle A is opposite to side a.
If three side lengths and one angle are given, 10 cm
always label the angle as A and the opposite
side as a.
35° 12.5 cm Side c

Angle A
2. Substitute the known values into the cosine rule. a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos (A)
x2 = 102 + 12.52 − 2 × 10 × 12.5 cos (35°)
3. Solve for x. x2 = 51.462
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. √
x = 51.462
≈ 7.17
4. Write the answer. The unknown length x is 7.17 cm.

WORKED EXAMPLE 22

A non-right-angled triangle ABC has values a = 7, b = 12 and c = 16. Calculate the magnitude of
angle A correct to 2 decimal places.

THINK WRITE/DRAW

1. Draw the non-right-angled triangle, labelling with Side a 7

the given information. Side b

12
16 Side c
A

Angle A
2. Substitute the known values into the cosine rule. a = b + c2 − 2bc cos (A)
2 2

72 = 122 + 162 − 2 × 12 × 16 cos (A)

336 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 122 + 162 − 72
3. Rearrange the equation to make cos (A) the subject cos (A) =
2 × 12 × 16
and solve. 122 + 162 − 72
Make sure your calculator is in degree mode. A = cos−1
( 2 × 12 × 16 )
≈ 23.93°
4. Write the answer. The magnitude of angle A is 23.93° .

Note: In the example above, it would have been quicker to substitute the known values directly into the
transposed cosine rule for cos (A).

8.7.2 Determine unknown sides or angles with given information

Knowing which rule to use for different problems will save time and help to reduce the chance for errors to
appear in your working. The following table should help you determine which rule to use.

Type of What What you What to use Rule Example

triangle you know
want

Side Two other Pythagoras’ a2 + b2 = c2

length sides theorem
8 10

?
Right-angled

Side A side length Trigonometric O

sin (𝜃) =
length and an angle ratios H
A ?
cos (𝜃) = 8
H
O
tan (𝜃) = 32°
A

Angle Two side Trigonometric O

sin (𝜃) =
lengths ratios H
A 8 10
cos (𝜃) =
H
O
tan (𝜃) =
A θ

Continued

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 337

 Type of What What you What to use Rule Example
triangle you know
want
Side Angle Sine rule a
=
length opposite sin (A)
b c 32°
unknown side =
and another sin (B) sin (C) 8
side/angle
40°
pair ?
Non-right-angled

Angle Side length Sine rule a 8

= 7
opposite sin (A) 12° θ
b c
unknown side =
and another sin (B) sin (C)
side/angle
pair
Side Two sides and Cosine rule a2 = 8
?
length the angle b2 +c2 −2bc cos (A) 12°
between them 9
Angle Three sides Cosine rule cos (A) = 8 7
b2 + c2 − a2 θ
2bc 9

Interactivity: The cosine rule (int-6276)

Interactivity: Solving non-right angled triangles (int-6482)

Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 6 The cosine rule Summary screen and practice questions

Exercise 8.7 The cosine rule

1. WE21 Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to
2 decimal places.
x km
4 km

22°
6 km

338 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 2. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

xm
16.5 m

39° 14.3 m

3. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 1 decimal place.

x km 9 km

30°
15 km
4. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

xm
6.7 m

41° 4.2 m

5. WE22 A non-right-angled triangle ABC has values a = 8, b = 13 and c = 17. Calculate the magnitude
of angle A correct to 2 decimal places.
6. A non-right-angled triangle ABC has values a = 11, b = 9 and c = 5. Calculate the magnitude of angle
A correct to 2 decimal places.
7. For triangle ABC, calculate the magnitude of angle A correct to 2 decimal places, given a = 5, b = 7
and c = 4.
8. For triangle ABC with a = 12, B = 57° and c = 8, calculate the side length b correct to 2 decimal
places.
9. Calculate the largest angle, correct to 2 decimal places, between any two legs of the following sailing
course.

15 km
18 km

13 km

10. A triangular paddock has sides of length 40 m, 50 m and 60 m. Calculate the magnitude of the largest
angle between the sides, correct to 2 decimal places.
11. A triangle has side lengths of 5 cm, 7 cm and 9 cm. Calculate the size of the smallest angle correct to
2 decimal places.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 339

12. ABCD is a parallelogram. Calculate the length of the diagonal AC correct to 2 decimal places.
C
B

6.2 cm

43° D
A 8 cm

13. An orienteering course is shown in the following diagram. Calculate the total distance of the course
correct to 2 decimal places.

14.5 km
x km

35°
8 km

14. Two air traffic control towers are 180 km apart. At the same time, they both detect a plane, P. The plane
is at a distance 100 km from Tower A at the bearing shown in the diagram below. Calculate the distance
of the plane from Tower B correct to 2 decimal places.
Tower A

25°
100 km
180 km

Plane P

Tower B

15. Britney is mapping out a new running path around her local park. She is going to run west for 2.1 km,
before turning 105° to the right and running another 3.3 km. From there, she will run in a straight line
back to her starting position.
How far will Britney run in total? Give your answer correct to the nearest metre.
16. A cruise boat is travelling to two destinations. To get to the first destination it travels for 4.5 hours at a
speed of 48 km/h. From there, it takes a 98° turn to the left and travels for 6 hours at a speed of 54 km/h
to reach the second destination.
The boat then travels directly back to the start of its journey. Determine how long this leg of the
journey will take if the boat is travelling at 50 km/h. Give your answer correct to the nearest minute.

340 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
8.8 True bearings
8.8.1 True bearings
Bearings are used to locate the positions of objects or the
direction of a journey on a two-dimensional plane.
The four main directions or standard bearings of a direc-
tional compass are known as cardinal points. They are North
(N), South (S), East (E) and West (W).

000
330 030

N
0
30

060
270

090
W E
240

120

210 150
180

0°T
N
330°T 020°T True bearings

30° 20° True bearings are measured in a clockwise

direction from the north–south line. They are
150°
330° written with all three digits of the angle stated.
270°T W E 090°T
60° If the angle measured is less than 100°, place a zero
249°T 249°
in front of the angle. For example, if the angle
measured is 20°clockwise from the north–south
150°T line the bearing is 020°T
S
180°T

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 341

8.8.2 Bearings from A to B
The bearing from A to B is not the same as the bearing from B to A.
N N
B

N
A B

Bearing from A to B
A

Bearing from B to A

When determining a bearing from a point to another point, it is important to follow the instructions and
draw a diagram. Always draw the centre of the compass at the starting point of the direction requested.
When a problem asks to find the bearing of B from A, mark in north and join a directional line to B to work
out the bearing. To return to where you came from is a change in bearing of 180°.
N
Bearing of A from B
B
Direct distance between 242°
A and B B is 20 km due north of A
Bearing of N 20 km
A is 20 km due south of B
B from A 62°
A
50 km
B is 50 km due east of A
A is 50 km due west of B

WORKED EXAMPLE 23

Determine the true bearing from:

a. TownA to Town B b. Town B to Town A.
N

60° Town B

Town A

THINK WRITE/ DRAW

a. 1. To determine the bearing from Town A to Town B, a. N

make sure the centre of the compass is marked at
town A. The angle is measured clockwise from 60° Town B
north to the bearing line at Town B.
Town A

The angle measure from north is 60°.

342 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
 2. A true bearing is written with all three digits of the The true bearing from Town A to
angle followed by the letter T. Town B is 060° T.
b. 1. To find the bearing from Town B to Town A, make b. N
sure the centre of the compass is marked at Town B. N
The angle is measured clockwise from north to the
bearing line at Town A. 60° Town B

Town A 60°

The angle measure from north is

60° + 180° = 240°.
2. A true bearing is written with all three digits of the The true bearing from Town B to
angle followed by the letter T. Town A is 240°T.

8.8.3 Using trigonometry in bearings problems

As the four cardinal points (N, E, S, W) are at right angles to each other, we can use trigonometry to solve
problems involving bearings.
When solving a bearings problem with trigonometry, always start by drawing a diagram to represent the
problem. This will help you to identify what information you already have, and determine which trigonometric
ratio to use.

WORKED EXAMPLE 24

A boat travels for 25 km in a direction of 310°T.

a. Determine how far north the boat travels, correct to 2 decimal
places.
b. Determine how far west the boat travels, correct to 2 decimal
places.

THINK WRITE/ DRAW

a. 1. Draw a diagram of the situation, a. N
remembering to label the compass points as 25 km
well as all of the given information.
40°
W E
310°

2. Identify the information you have in respect Reference angle = 40°

to the reference angle, as well as the Hypotenuse = 25
information you need. Opposite = ?

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 343

 O
3. Determine which of the trigonometric ratios sin (𝜃) =
H
to use.
O
4. Substitute the given values into the sin (40°) =
25
trigonometric ratio and solve for the
unknown. 25 sin (40°) = O
O = 16.069 …
= 16.07 (to 2 decimal places)
[Link] the answer. The ship travels 16.07 km north.
b. 1. Use your diagram from part a and identify b. Reference angle = 40°
the information you have in respect to the Hypotenuse = 25
reference angle, as well as the information Adjacent = ?
you need.
A
2. Determine which of the trigonometric ratios cos (𝜃) =
H
to use.
A
3. Substitute the given values into the cos (40°) =
25
trigonometric ratio and solve for the
unknown. 25 cos (40°) = A
A = 19.151 …
= 19.15 (to 2 decimal places)
4. Write the answer. The boat travels 19.15 km west.

Units 1 & 2 Area 4 Sequence 1 Concept 7 True bearings Summary screen and practice questions

Interactivity: Bearings (int-6481)

Exercise 8.8 True bearings

1. WE23 In the figure, determine the true bearing from: N

a. Town A to Town B
b. Town B to Town A.
110°
Town A

Town B

344 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
2. In the figure, determine the true bearing from: N
a. Town A to Town B b. Town B to Town A.
3. WE24 A boat travels for 36 km in a direction of 155°T.
123°
a. Determine how far south the boat travels, correct to 2 decimal places. Town A
b. Determine how far east the boat travels, correct to 2 decimal places.
4. A boat travels north for 6 km, west for 3 km, then south for 2 km. Town B
Determine the boat’s true bearing from its starting point. Give your answer in
decimal form to 1 decimal place.
5. State each of the following as a true bearing.
a. N b. N
18°
49°
W E W E

S S

c. N d. N

W E W E
39°
22°

S S

6. State the following as a true bearing.

a. N b. N

63°
W E W E

5°

S S

c. N d. N

11°
W E W E
56°

S S

7. From the figure, determine the true bearing of

B

N
103°
50° 48° C

A
a. B from A b. C from B c. A from C d. C from A.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 345

 8. A yacht race travels a triangular course. The first leg of the race, from the start to buoy 1, is 13 km due
south. The second leg, from buoy 1 to buoy 2, is due west. The last leg, from buoy 2 back to the start,
is 18 km.
a. Represent the above information in a diagram.
b. Calculate the length of the second leg of the race.
c. Calculate the total length of the course.
d. What is the bearing of the starting point from buoy 2 to the nearest degree?
9. A car travelled 5.6 km due east, then turned and travelled 800 m due south?
a. Construct a diagram to show the path of the car.
b. What is the compass bearing of the finishing point to the nearest degree?
c. If the car could travel directly from its starting point to its finishing point, what would be the
difference in the distance travelled?
10. An athlete practising for a triathlon competition completes a swim, run, cycle circuit as shown in the
diagram. Use the information given to calculate:
a. the distance that the athlete has to ride to get back to the start
b. the bearing on which the athlete rides back to the start to the nearest degree.

N N

1.2 km 120°

3 km

8.9 Review: exam practice

A summary of this chapter is available in the Resources section of your eBookPLUS at [Link].
Simple familiar
1. MC The length x in the triangle shown can be calculated by using:
A. 37 cos (25°)
B. 37 sin (25°)
37
C.
cos (25°)
37 x
D. 37
sin (25°)
25°

2. MC The length x in the triangle shown, correct to the nearest metre, is:

16 m

35°
42°
xm
A. 9 B. 14 C. 19 D. 27

346 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
3. MC The magnitude of angle A in the triangle shown, correct to the nearest degree, is:
B

10 15

A
34°
C
A. 22° B. 30° C. 34° D. 57°
4. MC The largest angle in the triangle shown can be calculated by using:

8
5

3
2 2 2
8 +3 −5 82 + 52 − 32
A. cos−1 B. cos−1
( 2×3×8 ) ( 2×5×8 )
52 + 32 − 82 52 + 32 − 82
C. cos−1 D. cos−1
( 2×3×5 ) ( 2×3×8 )
5. MC The acute and obtuse angles that have a sine of approximately 0.52992, correct to the nearest degree,
are respectively:
A. 31° and 149° B. 32° and 58°
C. 31° and 59° D. 32° and 148°
6. MC Using Heron’s formula, the area of a triangle with sides 4.2 cm, 5.1 cm and 9 cm is:
A. 5.3 cm2 B. 9.2 cm2
C. 13.7 cm2 D. 18.3 cm2
7. MC The locations of Jo’s, Nelson’s and Sammy’s homes are shown in the diagram. Jo’s home is due
north of Nelson’s home. The bearings of Jo’s and Nelson’s homes from Sammy’s home are respectively:
N

Jo’s home
60°

Sammy’s home Nelson’s home

A. 030°T and 090°T B. 060°T and 090°T

C. 030°T and 180°T D. 060°T and 180°T

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 347

 8. MC A boy is standing 150 m away from the base of a building. His eye level is 1.65 m above the ground.
He observes a hot-air balloon hovering above the building at an angle of elevation of 30°. If the building
is 20 m high, the distance the hot air balloon is above the top of the building is closest to:
A. 64 m B. 65 m C. 66 m D. 68 m
9. MC The area of the triangle shown, correct to 2 decimal places, is:

3.2 cm

41°
2.1 cm

A. 2.20 cm2 B. 2.54 cm2 C. 3.36 cm2 D. 4.41 cm2

10. MC A unit of cadets walked from their camp for 7.5 km on a bearing of 064°T. They then travelled on a
bearing of 148°T until they came to a signpost that indicated they were 14 km in a straight line from
their camp. The bearing from the signpost back to their camp is closest to:
A. 032°T B. 064°T C. 096°T D. 296°T
11. a. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.
5 cm 112°

8 cm

b. Calculate the value of x correct to the nearest degree.

99°
40 mm

x° 57 mm

12. a. Calculate the area of the triangle shown, correct to 2 decimal places.

4.8 cm
103° 5.2 cm

b. Calculate the area of the triangle shown, correct to 2 decimal places.

63°

12.4 mm

348 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
Complex familiar
13. In the triangle ABC, a = 18.5 m, c = 12.6 m and C = 31.35°.
a. Draw a diagram with this information.
b. Determine the value of A and hence the value of B.
14. ABCDEF is a regular hexagon with the point B being due north of A. Calculate the true bearing of the
point:
C

B D

A E

F
a. C from B b. D from C c. F from E d. E from B.
15. Three immunity idols are hidden on an island for a TV reality game. Idol B is 450 m on a bearing of
072°T from Idol A. Immunity idol C is 885 m on a bearing of S75°E from Idol A.
a. Calculate the distance between immunity idols B and C to 2 decimal places.
b. Calculate the triangular area to the nearest metre between immunity idols A, B and C that contestants
need to search to find all three idols.
16. a. Calculate the value of the unknown length x correct to 2 decimal places.

19°
30°
30 cm
b. Calculate the values of x and y, correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.
7m
x°
17 m
y

22 m

Complex unfamiliar
17. Three treasure chests are buried on an island. Treasure chest B is 412 m on a bearing of 073°T from
treasure chest A. Treasure chest C is 805 m on a bearing of 108°T from treasure chest A.
a. Draw a diagram to represent the information.
b. Show that angle A is 35°.
c. Calculate the distance between treasure chests B and C correct to 1 decimal place.
d. Calculate the triangular area between treasure chests A, B and C correct to 1 decimal place.
e. A treasure hunter misreads the information as ‘Treasure chest B is 412 m on a bearing of 078°T from
treasure chest A’ rather than ‘Treasure chest B is 412 m on a bearing of 073°T from treasure chest A.’
i. Construct a diagram to represent the misread information.
ii. Find how far the treasure hunter has travelled from the actual position
of treasure chest B to his incorrect location of treasure chest B, correct to 1 decimal place.

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 349

 [Link] the true bearing from his incorrect location of treasure chest B to the actual location
of treasure chest B.
18. A dog kennel is placed in the corner of a triangular garden at point C. The dog kennel is positioned
30.5 m at an angle of 32.8° from one corner of the backyard fence (A) and 20.8 m from the other corner
of the backyard fence (B).
a. Draw a diagram to represent the information.
b. Calculate, correct to 1 decimal place:
i. the shortest distance between the dog kennel and the backyard fence
ii. the length of the backyard fence between points A and B.
c. Using Heron’s formula, calculate the triangular area between the dog kennel and the two corners of
the backyard fence, correct to 1 decimal place.
19. A stained glass window frame consisting of five triangular sections is to be made in the shape of a
regular pentagon with a side length of 30 cm.
A
a. Show that ∠AOB = 72°.
b. Calculate ∠ABO. B 30 cm
c. Use the sine rule to find the length of OB to 1 decimal
O
place. E
d. Calculate the total length of frame required to construct the window,
correct to 1 decimal place. C
e. Three of the triangular panels must have coloured glass. Calculate the
total area of coloured glass required correct to the nearest cm2 . D
20. A triangular flag ABC has a printed design with a circle touching the
sides of a flag and a 1-metre vertical line as shown in the diagram.
A

D 1m
1.5 m E B
r

1.5 m h

a. Calculate h, the horizontal distance from the vertex point of the flag B to the vertical line at point E.
b. Calculate ∠ACB correct to 2 decimal places.
c. Calculate r, the radius of the circle, correct to 2 decimal places.
d. The circle printed design in the flag is to be coloured yellow. Calculate the area of the circle correct
to 2 decimal places.
e. Calculate the total area of the flag correct to 2 decimal places.

Units 1 & 2 Sit chapter test

350 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
Answers Exercise 8.4 Area of triangles
1. 52.75 mm
2

Chapter 8 Applications of 2. 24.63 mm

2

trigonometry 3. 6.50 cm
2
Exercise 8.2 Review of trigonometric ratios 4. 79.99 cm
2
1. a. 1.540 b. 17.663 5. 61.48 cm
2
c. 40.460 d. 0.657 6. 43.92 mm
2 2
2. a. 0.602 b. 2.092 7. a. 113.49 cm b. 47.45 mm
2 2
c. 15.246 d. 51.893 c. 216.10 cm d. 122.46 cm
2 2
3. a. 0.707 b. 0.247 8. a. 89.67 cm b. 37.80 mm
c. 6.568 d. 5.896 9. 2.082 km
2

4. a. 0.5 b. 0.966 10. x = 4.5 cm

c. 1 d. 548.643
11. 11.1 cm
5. a. 64 b. 1.301 2
12. 205.39 cm
c. 5.306 d. 1.374
6. a. 0.42 b. 1.56
Exercise 8.5 Angles of elevation and depression
c. 0.09 d. 15.77
1. 32.63 km
7. a. 5.10 b. 2.87
c. 0.38 d. 7.77 2. 47.13 m

8. a. 73.30 b. 0.87 3. 36.81 m

9. a. 10° b. 16° 4. 61.54°

10. a. 44° b. 80° 5. 36.25°

′ ′ 6. 2.73 m
11. a. 86°40 b. 56°36
′ ′ 7. 999.85 m
12. a. 42°57 b. 31°21
8. 862.83 m
Exercise 8.3 Applications of trigonometric 9. 315 m
ratios 10. 11.13 m
1. x = 2.16 cm 11. 52°
2. x = 10.6 mm 12. 88.28°
3. 𝜃 = 46.90° 13. 1357 m
4. 𝜃 = 45.48° 14. a. 83.59° b. 82.35° c. 79.93°
5. y = 1.99 cm d. 74.97° e. 60.67°

6. y = 2.63 cm
Exercise 8.6 The sine rule
7. 𝜃 = 73.97°
1. x = 10.36 cm
8. 𝜃 = 35.58°
2. x = 10.38 cm
9. x = 13.15 cm
3. x = 9.05 cm
10. y = 0.75 cm
4. x = 17 cm
11. 𝜃 = 53.20°
2
° 5. a. 247.68 cm
12. 𝜃 = 36.38 2
b. 750.79 cm
13. a. 0.82
b. −0.88 6. B = 28.3°

14. a. 0.99 7. B = 27.1°

b. −0.84 8. 𝜃 = 47.2°
15. 𝜃 = 49.32° 9. B = 46.97° or 133.03°
16. 𝜃 = 10.29°, a = 79.71° 10. b = 12.24, c = 13.44
17. a. 7.4 km 11. 20.71 m
b. 27.2 km 12. a. 23.18 m
18. 20.56° b. 10.66 m

19. a. 47.16° 13. x = 142.4°, y = 37.6°

b. 1.83 m 14. 9.80 m
20. 100.94 m 15. 5.91 km

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 351

16. a. B = 41.39°, C = 107.31° 9. a.
b. c = 20.21 cm
2
c. 73.51 cm
5.6 km
2 2
17. 41.39 cm , 61.41 cm and 59.12 cm
2 START
θ
2
18. 167 330 m
800 m
3
19. 8.14 m

Exercise 8.7 The cosine rule b. 098°T

c. 0.74km
1. x = 2.74 km
10. a. 4.08 km b. 292°T
2. x = 10.49 m
3. x = 8.5 km
4. x = 4.48 m
8.9 Review: exam practice
5. A = 26.95° 1. A
6. A = 99.59° 2. D
7. A = 44.42° 3. D
8. b = 10.17 4. C
9. 79.66° 5. D
10. 82.82° 6. A
11. 33.56° 7. B
12. 13.23 cm 8. D
13. 31.68 km 9. A
14. 98.86 km 10. D
15. 8822 m 11. a. 10.91 cm b. 44°
16. 7 hours, 16 minutes 12. a. 12.16 cm
2
b. 62.73 mm
2

13. a.
B
Exercise 8.8 True bearings
18.5 m
1. a. 110°T b. 290°T 12.6 m
2. a. 237°T b. 057°T
3. a. 32.63 km b. 15.21 km A 31.35°
C
4. 323.1°T
b. A = 49.81°, B = 98.84°
5. a. 049°T b. 342°T
14. a. 060°T
c. 231°T d. 112°T
b. 120°T
6. a. 185°T b. 297°T c. 240°T
c. 079°T d. 124°T d. 120°T
7. a. 050°T b. 127°T 15. a. 563.67 m
c. 259°T d. 079°T b. 108 451 m
2

8. a. START 16. a. 17.19 cm

b. x = 151.93°, y = 8 m
17. a. N B
412 m
18 km 13 km 73°
A
72°
α 805 m
θ
B2 B1 C

b. 12.45 km b. A = 180 − (73 + 72) = 35°

c. 43.45 km c. 523.8 m
2
d. 044°T d. 95 116.2 m

352 Jacaranda Maths Quest 11 General Mathematics Units 1 & 2 for Queensland
e. i. 18. a. A B
B 32.8°
73° B′ 30.5 m 20.8 m
A 5°
C
b. i. 16.5 m ii. 38.3 m
2
c. 316.1 m

ii. 35.9 m 19. a. 72° b. 54°

iii. 345.6°T c. 25.5 cm d. 277.5 cm
2
e. 928 cm
20. a. 3 m b. 80.54° c. 0.59 m
2 2
d. 1.09 m e. 3.38 m

CHAPTER 8 Applications of trigonometry 353