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The document explains how to solve triangles using the Law of Cosines and Law of Sines through two problems: one with two sides and an included angle, and another with three given sides. In the first problem, the triangle is identified as a right triangle with angles A = 30°, B = 90°, and C = 60°, and side c ≈ 17.32. The second problem results in angles A ≈ 48.2°, B ≈ 58.4°, and C ≈ 73.4°, demonstrating the effectiveness of these laws in solving triangles.

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Gabriel Meyer
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19 views3 pages

Lawofcosines Blank

The document explains how to solve triangles using the Law of Cosines and Law of Sines through two problems: one with two sides and an included angle, and another with three given sides. In the first problem, the triangle is identified as a right triangle with angles A = 30°, B = 90°, and C = 60°, and side c ≈ 17.32. The second problem results in angles A ≈ 48.2°, B ≈ 58.4°, and C ≈ 73.4°, demonstrating the effectiveness of these laws in solving triangles.

Uploaded by

Gabriel Meyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Triangles Using the Law of Cosines and

Law of Sines

1 Problem 1: Solving a Triangle with Given


Two Sides and an Included Angle
Given:
• a = 10, b = 20, and C = 60◦
We recognize this as a Side-Angle-Side (SAS) case. To solve for the remaining
sides and angles, we first use the Law of Cosines:
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C (1)
Substituting the given values:
c2 = 102 + 202 − 2(10)(20) cos 60◦
= 100 + 400 − 400(0.5)
= 100 + 400 − 200
= 300
Thus, √ √
c= 300 = 10 3 ≈ 17.32 (2)
Now, using the Law of Sines to find angle B:
c b
= (3)
sin C sin B
Substituting known values:
17.32 20
=
sin 60◦ sin B
Cross multiplying:
20 sin 60◦ = 17.32 sin B (4)
Solving for B:
20 sin 60◦
sin B =
17.32
=1

1
Thus, B = 90◦ . Using the sum of angles in a triangle:
A = 180◦ − B − C = 180◦ − 90◦ − 60◦ = 30◦ (5)
Since B = 90 , the triangle is a right triangle.
◦

2 Problem 2: Solving a Triangle with Three


Given Sides
Given:
• a = 7, b = 8, c = 9
This is a Side-Side-Side (SSS) case. We begin by using the Law of Cosines
to find angle C:
c 2 − a 2 − b2
cos C = (6)
−2ab
Substituting values:
92 − 72 − 82
cos C =
−2(7)(8)
81 − 49 − 64
=
−112
−32
= = 0.2857
−112
Thus,
C = cos−1 (0.2857) ≈ 73.4◦ (7)
Using the Law of Sines to find angle A:
c a
= (8)
sin C sin A
Substituting values:
9 7
=
sin 73.4◦ sin A
Cross multiplying:
7 sin 73.4◦ = 9 sin A (9)
Solving for A:
7 sin 73.4◦
sin A =
9
= 0.7453
Thus,
A = sin−1 (0.7453) ≈ 48.2◦ (10)
Since A + C < 180 , there is only one valid triangle.
◦

Finally, finding B:
B = 180◦ − A − C = 180◦ − 48.2◦ − 73.4◦ = 58.4◦ (11)

2
3 Conclusion
For the first triangle:
• A = 30◦ , B = 90◦ , C = 60◦
• c = 17.32

For the second triangle:


• A = 48.2◦ , B = 58.4◦ , C = 73.4◦
Using the Law of Cosines first ensures we solve the triangle correctly in
ambiguous cases, and the Law of Sines helps complete the solution efficiently.

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