MATH04
Pre-Calculus
Course Outcome 4
Lesson 4: Law of Cosines
shs.mapua.edu.ph
COURSE OUTCOME 4B
LAW OF COSINE
Let 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be an oblique triangle with sides 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 opposite their
respective angles as shown in the figure below. The altitude 𝐵𝐷 is
drawn from 𝐵 perpendicular to the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠. The triangle 𝐵𝐷𝐴 is a
right triangle, and the coordinates of 𝐵 are (𝑎 cos 𝐶 , 𝑎 sin 𝐶). The
coordinates of 𝐴 are (𝑏, 0). Using the ‘distance formula’, we can find
distance 𝑐. 𝑦
𝐵(𝑎 cos 𝐶 , 𝑎 sin 𝐶)
𝑎 𝑐
𝐶
𝐴(𝑏, 0)
𝑥 shs.mapua.edu.ph
𝐷 (0, 0) 𝑏
COURSE OUTCOME 4B
𝑦
LAW OF COSINE 𝐵(𝑎 cos 𝐶 , 𝑎 sin 𝐶)
𝑑= 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 Distance Formula
𝑐= acos 𝐶 − 𝑏 2 + asin 𝐶 − 0 2 𝑎 𝑐
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 cos 2 𝐶 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑎2 sin2 𝐶 𝐶
𝐴(𝑏, 0)
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 sin2 𝐶 + cos 2 𝐶 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶 𝑥
1 𝐷 (0, 0) 𝑏
2 2 2 2 2
𝑐 = 𝑎 sin 𝐶 + cos 𝐶 + 𝑏 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶 Cosine Law
Using the same method by changing the positions of the angles with their
respective opposite sides gives similar results and summarized as follows.
shs.mapua.edu.ph
COURSE OUTCOME 4B
LAW OF COSINE
If 𝐴, 𝐵, and 𝐶 are the measures of the angles of a triangle and 𝑎, 𝑏, and
𝑐 are the lengths of the sides opposite these angles, then
𝑐 2 = 𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2 – 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝑎 2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 – 2𝑏𝑐 cos 𝐴
𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 – 2𝑎𝑐 cos 𝐵
shs.mapua.edu.ph
COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Case III: Two sides and the angle between those sides are given.
Solve the ΔABC given the following measurements
1. 𝑎 = 18.4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 26.3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐵 = 47.9°
2. 𝐶 = 115° 𝑎 = 11 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 21 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.) 𝑎 = 18.4, 𝑐 = 26.3, 𝐵 = 47.9°
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.) 𝑎 = 18.4, 𝑐 = 26.3, 𝐵 = 47.9°
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Cosine Law,
looks like this, 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 cos 𝐵
𝐵 𝑏 2 = 18.4 2 + 26.3 2 − 2 18.4 26.3 cos 47.9
𝑏 2 = 629.101
47.9° 𝑏 = 629.101
𝑐 = 26.3
𝑏 = 25.062 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑎 = 18.4
𝐴
𝑏 = 25.062 𝐶
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.) 𝑎 = 18.4, 𝑐 = 26.3, 𝐵 = 47.9°
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑏
𝐵
=
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
𝑎 sin 𝐵
sin 𝐴 =
47.9° 𝑏
𝑐 = 26.3 18.4 sin 47.9
sin 𝐴 =
𝑎 = 18.4 25.062
sin 𝐴 = 0.545
33° 𝐴 = sin−1 0.545
𝐴 𝐴 = 33°
𝑏 = 25.062 𝐶
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.) 𝑎 = 18.4, 𝑐 = 26.3, 𝐵 = 47.9°
Solution: Assuming that the triangle Recall:
looks like this, Sum of Interior Angles of ∆= 180°
𝐵 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180
𝐶 = 180 − 𝐴 + 𝐵
47.9° 𝐶 = 180 − 33 + 47.9
𝑐 = 26.3
𝐶 = 99.1°
𝑎 = 18.4
33° 99.1°
𝐴
𝑏 = 25.062 𝐶
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2.)𝐶 = 115°,𝑎 = 11, 𝑏 = 21
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2.)𝐶 = 115°,𝑎 = 11, 𝑏 = 21
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Cosine Law,
looks like this, 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝐵 𝑐 2 = 11 2 + 21 2 − 2 11 21 cos 115
𝑐 2 = 757.249
𝑐 = 757.249
𝑐 = 27.52
𝑐 = 27.52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑎 = 11
115°
𝑏 = 21 𝐶
𝐴
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2.)𝐶 = 115°,𝑎 = 11, 𝑏 = 21
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑏 𝑐
=
𝐵 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
𝑏 sin 𝐶
43.76° sin 𝐵 =
𝑐
𝑐 = 27.52 21 sin 115
sin 𝐵 =
𝑎 = 11 27.52
sin 𝐵 = 0.6916
115° 𝐵 = sin−1 0.6916
𝑏 = 21 𝐶 𝐵 = 43.76°
𝐴
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2.)𝐶 = 115°,𝑎 = 11, 𝑏 = 21
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sum of Interior Angles of ∆
looks like this, 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180
𝐵 𝐴 = 180 − 𝐵 + 𝐶
𝐴 = 180 − 115 + 43.76
43.76° 𝐴 = 21.24°
𝑐 = 27.52
𝑎 = 11
21.24° 115°
𝑏 = 21 𝐶
𝐴
shs.mapua.edu.ph
COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Case IV: Three sides are given.
Solve the Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶 given the following measurements
1. 𝑎 = 11 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 14 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 17 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
2. 𝑎 = 23 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.)𝑎 = 11,𝑏 = 14, 𝑐 17
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.)𝑎 = 11,𝑏 = 14, 𝑐 = 17
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Cosine Law,
looks like this, 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = −2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
𝑏 = 14 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
𝐴 𝐶 = cos 𝐶
84.78° −2𝑎𝑏
2
𝑎 = 11 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 17 − 11 2 − 14 2
𝑐 = 17 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 = cos 𝐶
−2 11 14
𝐵
Applying Inverse Trigonometric
Function,
cos 𝐶 = 0.0909
𝐶 = cos −1 0.0909
shs.mapua.edu.ph
𝐶 = 84.78°
EXAMPLES
1.)𝑎 = 11,𝑏 = 14, 𝑐 = 17
Solution: Assuming that the triangle @Angle A, by Sine Law,
looks like this, sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶
=
𝑎 𝑐
𝑎 sin 𝐶
𝑏 = 14 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 sin 𝐴 =
𝐴 𝐶
40.11°
𝑐
84.78° 11 sin 84.78
sin 𝐴 =
𝑎 = 11 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
17
𝑐 = 17 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 sin 𝐴 = 0.6443
𝐴 = sin−1 0.6443
𝐵 𝐴 = 40.11°
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
1.)𝑎 = 11,𝑏 = 14, 𝑐 = 17
Solution: Assuming that the triangle @Angle B, by Sum of interior angles of ∆
looks like this, 𝐵 = 180 − 𝐴 + 𝐶
𝐵 = 180 − 40.11 + 84.78
𝑏 = 14 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐵 = 55.11°
𝐴 𝐶
40.11° 84.78°
𝑎 = 11 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑐 = 17 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 55.11°
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2. 𝑎 = 23 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Cosine Law,
looks like this, 𝑏 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 cos 𝐵
𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2 = −2𝑎𝑐 cos 𝐵
𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 − 𝑐 2
𝐴 𝐶 = cos 𝐵
−2𝑎𝑐
2
𝑎 = 23𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 43 − 23 2 − 31 2
𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 104.58°
= cos 𝐵
−2 23 31
𝐵
Applying Inverse Trigonometric
Function,
cos 𝐵 = −0.2518
𝐵 = cos −1 (−0.2518)
shs.mapua.edu.ph
𝐵 = 104.58°
EXAMPLES
2. 𝑎 = 23 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law:
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑏
=
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
23 43
𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 =
𝐴 𝐶
31.18°
sin 𝐴 sin 104.58°
23 sin 104.58°
sin 𝐴 =
𝑎 = 23𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
43
𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 104.58° sin 𝐴 = 0.5177
𝐴 = sin−1 0.5177
𝐵 𝐴 = 31.18°
shs.mapua.edu.ph
EXAMPLES
2. 𝑎 = 23 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sum of the interior angles of a
looks like this, triangle:
𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180°
𝑏 = 43 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 31.18° + 104.58° + 𝐶 = 180°
𝐴 𝐶
31.18° 44.24° 135.76° + 𝐶 = 180°
𝐶 = 180° − 135.76°
𝑎 = 23𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐶 = 44.24°
𝑐 = 31 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 104.58°
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Heron’s Formula Proof using Law of Cosines
𝐶 Given the three sides of the triangle 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐,
the area of the triangle is:
𝑏 𝑎 𝐴Δ = 𝑠 𝑠−𝑎 𝑠−𝑏 𝑠−𝑐
ℎ
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
Where: 𝑠 =
2
𝐴 𝐵
𝑐
We can prove the Heron’s formula using the Law
of Cosines in which all three sides of the triangles
are given.
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Heron’s Formula Proof using Law of Cosines
Following the area of a triangle using Sine Law
𝐶 2 1
𝐴Δ = 𝑎𝑏 sin 𝐶
2
2
4𝐴Δ = 𝑎2 𝑏 2 sin2 𝐶
𝑏 𝑎 16𝐴2Δ = 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 sin2 𝐶
ℎ From Cosine Law:
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶
2𝑎𝑏 cos 𝐶 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2
𝐵
𝐴 𝑐 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 cos 2 𝐶 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
Using cos 2 𝐶 = 1 − sin2 𝐶 ,
4𝑎2 𝑏 2 (1 − sin2 𝐶) = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
4𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 sin2 𝐶 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
4𝑎2 𝑏 2 sin2 𝐶 = 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
16𝐴2Δ = 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Heron’s Formula Proof using Law of Cosines
16𝐴2Δ = 4𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 2
𝐶 16𝐴2Δ = [2𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2 ] 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 − 𝑐 2
16𝐴2Δ = (2ab − a2 − b2 + c 2 )(2ab + a2 + b2 − c 2 )
16𝐴2Δ = (c 2 − a2 + 2ab − b2 )(a2 + 2ab + b2 − c 2 )
𝑏 𝑎 16𝐴2Δ = c 2 − a2 − 2ab + b2 [(a2 + 2ab + b2 ) − c 2 ]
ℎ 16𝐴2Δ = c 2 − 𝑎 − 𝑏 2 [ 𝑎 + 𝑏 2 − c 2 ]
16𝐴2Δ = (𝑐 − (𝑎 − 𝑏) 𝑐 + 𝑎 − 𝑏 𝑎 + 𝑏 − c [ a + b + c]
2
𝐵 16𝐴 Δ = (𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)(−𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐)(𝑎 − 𝑏 + 𝑐)(a + b − c)
𝐴 𝑐
Let 2𝑠 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐, 2𝑠 − 2𝑎 = −𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐,
2𝑠 − 2𝑏 = 𝑎 − 𝑏 + 𝑐, 2𝑠 − 2𝑐 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 𝑐
16𝐴2Δ = 2𝑠 2𝑠 − 2𝑎 2𝑠 − 2𝑏 2𝑠 − 2𝑐
16𝐴2Δ = 16𝑠 𝑠 − 𝑎 𝑠 − 𝑏 𝑠 − 𝑐
𝐴2Δ = 𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
shs.mapua.edu.ph
𝐴Δ = 𝑠 𝑠−𝑎 𝑠−𝑏 𝑠−𝑐
Use Heron’s formula to determine the area of the given
triangle.
𝑏=7
𝑐 = 11
𝑎=8
B
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Use Heron’s formula to determine the area of the given
triangle.
A 𝐴 = 𝑠 𝑠−𝑎 𝑠−𝑏 𝑠−𝑐
𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 8 + 7 + 11 26
𝑠= = = = 13
𝑏=7 2 2 2
𝑐 = 11 𝐴 = 13 13 − 8 13 − 7 13 − 11
𝐴 = 13 5 6 2
C 𝐴 = 780
𝐴 = 2 195 sq. units
𝑎=8
𝑜𝑟
B
𝐴 = 27.93 𝑠𝑞. 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Some Applications of Cosine Law
A volcanologist needs to measure the
distance across the base of an active
volcano. Distance 𝐴𝐵 is measured at
1.5 𝑘𝑚, while the distance 𝐴𝐶 is
3.2 𝑘𝑚. Using theodolite (a sighting
instrument used by surveyors), angle 𝐴
is found to be 95.7°. What is the 𝐵 𝐶
distance across the base?
1.5 𝑘𝑚 95.7° 3.2 𝑘𝑚
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Some Applications of Cosine Law
𝐵 𝐶
1.5 𝑘𝑚 95.7° 3.2 𝑘𝑚
shs.mapua.edu.ph
Some Applications of Cosine Law
𝐴 = 95.7° 𝑐 = 1.5 𝑘𝑚, 𝑏 = 3.2 𝑘𝑚, 𝑎 =?
𝑎 2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 cos 𝐴
𝑎 2 = 3.22 + 1.52 − 2 3.2 1.5 cos 95.7°
𝑎 2 = 13.4435
𝑎 ≈ 3.67 km
𝐵
The distance across the base of the active 𝐶
volcano is 3.67 𝑘𝑚.
1.5 𝑘𝑚 95.7° 3.2 𝑘𝑚
shs.mapua.edu.ph
shs.mapua.edu.ph
