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 The Cosine Rule
B
Pythagoras’ Theorem allows us
a to calculate unknown lengths
c in right-angled triangles using
the relationship a2 = b2 + c2
A b C
It would be very useful to be able to calculate
unknown sides for any value of the angle at A.
Consider the square on the side opposite A when
angle A is not a right-angle.
1 2 3
a2 a 2
a2

A A
Angle A
A acute
Angle A
obtuse

a2 = b2 + a2 > b2 + a2 < b2 +
c2 2 2
 The Cosine Rule
1
The Cosine Rule generalises Pythagoras’ Theorem
and takes care of the 3 possible cases for Angle A.
A
Deriving the Consider a general triangle ABC.
rule We require a in terms of b, c and
B A. a2 = b2 +
BP2 = a2 – (b – x)2
c2
Also: BP2 = c2 – x2 2

c a  a2 – (b – x)2 = c2 – x2
 a2 – (b2 – 2bx + x2) = c2 – x2 A

P  a2 – b2 + 2bx – x2 = c2 – x2
A x b b-x C a2 > b2 +
 a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bx*
b c2
3
 a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA
Draw BP perpendicular to
AC *Since Cos A = x/c  x = cCosA
A
When A = 90o, CosA = 0 and reduces to a2 = b2 1 Pythagoras
+ c2
When A > 90o, CosA is negative,  a2 > b2 + c2 2 Pythagoras + a
bit
a2 < b2 +
When A < 90o, CosA is positive,  a2 > b2 + c2 3 Pythagoras - a bit c2
 The Cosine Rule
The Cosine rule can be used to find:
1. An unknown side when two sides of the triangle and the
included angle are given.
2. An unknown angle when 3 sides are given.
B
Finding an unknown
side.
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA c a

Applying the same method

A b C
as earlier to the other sides
produce similar formulae b2 = a2 + c2 – 2acCosB
for b and c. namely:
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2abCosC
 The Cosine Rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA
To find an unknown side we need 2 sides and
the included angle.

1. Not to 2.
7.7 cm 65o
9.6 cm scale 5.4 cm
a

40o
8 cm m
m2 = 5.42 + 7.72 – 2 x 5.4 x 7.7 x Cos 65o
a = 8 + 9.6 – 2 x 8 x 9.6 x Cos 40
2 2 2 o

m = (5.42 + 7.72 – 2 x 5.4 x 7.7 x Cos 65o)

a = (8 + 9.6 – 2 x 8 x 9.6 x Cos
2 2

40o) m = 7.3 cm (1 dp)

a = 6.2 cm (1 dp)

3. 15o 100 m p2 = 852 + 1002 – 2 x 85 x 100 x Cos 15o

85 m p = (852 + 1002 – 2 x 85 x 100 x Cos 15o)
p = 28.4 m (1 dp)
p
 The Cosine Rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA

Application Problem

A fishing boat leaves a harbour (H) and travels due East for 40 miles to
a marker buoy (B). At B the boat turns left onto a bearing of 035o
and sails to a lighthouse (L) 24 miles away. It then returns to
harbour.
(a) Make a sketch of the journey
(b) Find the total distance travelled by the boat. (nearest mile)
HL2 = 402 + 242 – 2 x 40 x 24 x Cos 1250
HL = (402 + 242 – 2 x 40 x 24 x Cos 1250)
L
= 57 miles
Total distance = 57 + 64 = 121 miles.

24 miles
H
40 miles 125o
B
 The Cosine Rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA
An AWACS aircraft takes off from RAF
Waddington (W) on a navigation Not to P
exercise. It flies 430 miles North to a Scale
point P before turning left onto a
bearing of 230o to a second point Q, 50o
570 miles away. It then returns to
base.
(a) Make a sketch of the flight. 570 miles

(b) Find the total distance flown by the

aircraft. (nearest mile) 430 miles

Q
QW2 = 4302 + 5702 – 2 x 430 x 570 x Cos
500
QW = (4302 + 5702 – 2 x 430 x 570 x Cos W
500)
= 441 miles
 The Cosine Rule
To find unknown angles the 3 formula for sides need to
be re-arranged in terms of CosA, B or C.

2 2 2 a2 = b2 + c2 –
a b  c  2bcCosA
2bcCosA
 2bcCosA b 2  c 2  a 2 b 2 = a2 + c 2 –
2acCosB
c 2 = a2 + b 2 –
b2  c 2  a2 2abCosC
CosA 
2bc B

Similarly a
c
a2  c 2  b2
CosB 
2ac
A b C
2 2 2
a b  c
CosC 
2ab
 The Cosine Rule b2  c 2  a2
CosA 
2bc

To find an unknown angle we need 3 given

sides.
1. Not to 2. P
7.7 cm
6.2 9.6 cm scale 5.4 cm

A
8 cm 7.3 cm
82  9.62  6.22 5.42  7.72  7.32
CosA  CosP 
2x 8x 9.6 2x 5.4x 7.7
  40o
A P 65o

3. R 100 m
1002  852  28.42
CosR 
85 m 2x 100x 85
R 15o
28.4 m
The Cosine Rule b2  c 2  a2
CosA 
2bc
Application Problems
A fishing boat leaves a harbour (H) and travels due East for 40 miles
to a marker buoy (B). At B the boat turns left and sails for 24 miles
to a lighthouse (L). It then returns to harbour, a distance of 57
miles.
(a) Make a sketch of the journey.
(b) Find the bearing of the lighthouse from the harbour. (nearest
572  402  242
degree)
CosA 
2x 57x 40
 20.4o
A
L
o
 Bearing  90  20.4 070

57 miles
24 miles
H
A 40 miles
B
The Cosine Rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bcCosA
An AWACS aircraft takes off from RAF
Not to P
Waddington (W) on a navigation
exercise. It flies 530 miles North Scale
to a point (P) as shown, It then
turns left and flies to a point (Q),
670 miles away. Finally it flies
back to base, a distance of 520
miles. 670 miles

Find the bearing of Q from point P.

530 miles
b2  c 2  a2
CosA 
2bc
Q
5302  6702  5202
CosP 
2x 530x 670 520 miles
P  48.7o W
 Bearing 180  48.7 229o