CHAPTER 9

RIGHT SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

The right spherical triangle and its polar triangle – the quadrantal triangle
are two of the basic forms of spherical triangles wherein one of the angle or one of
the side measures 900.

The missing parts of a right spherical triangles is solve using the 10

formulas which may derived from the law of cosine, law of sine, and the concept
of polar triangle discussed earlier. However, the 10 formulas mentioned should not
be necessarily memorized but can easily derived using the two rules devised by
John Napier (1550-1617), a Scottish mathematician and inventor of logarithms.

This chapter deals with derivation of 10 formulas using geometry and will
be used to solve the missing parts of a right spherical triangle, quadrantal triangle
and isosceles spherical triangle.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. define right spherical triangle, quadrantal triangle and isosceles
spherical triangle;
2. derived the 10 formulas of the right spherical triangles;
3. restate Napier’s Rules and his two theorems;
4. derived the 10 formulas using Napier’s Rules;
5. solve the missing parts of a right spherical triangle;
6. use logarithms in solving the missing parts of a spherical triangle;
and
7. solve the missing parts of a quadrantal and isosceles spherical
triangles.

Right Spherical Triangle

A spherical triangle with one of its angle measuring exactly 90 0 is called

right spherical triangle. This type of spherical triangle is solved using the 10
formulas that will be derived as follows.
 Consider a right spherical triangle, ABC with the right angle at C and with
sides a and b less than 900 as shown in figure 9.1.

B
B’

a
c
C
a
C’
O c b

A’
A

Figure 9.1 Right Spherical Triangle

Construct line A’B’ and A’C’ that will be perpendicular to edge OA. This
follows that the plane triangles OA’B’, OA’C’ OC’B’, and A’C’B’ are right
triangles. Consequently angle A’ of the plane right triangle A’C’B’ is equal to angle
A of the right spherical triangle.

Angle B’OC’ of the plane right triangle OC’B’ is equal to side a of the
spherical triangle, angle A’OC’ of the plane right triangle is equal to side b of the
spherical triangle and side c of the right spherical triangle OA’B’.

These fact leads to the following functions:

B’C’ A’B’
sin a = sin c =
OB’ OB’
 B’C’ OB’ sin a sin a
sin A = sin A’ = = =
then, A’B’ OB’ sin c sin c
A’C’ A’B’
tan b = tan c =
OA’ OA’

A’C’ OA’ tan b tan b

cos A = cos A’ = = =
A’B’ OA’ tan c tan c

Also,

B’C’ A’C’
tan a = sin b =
OC’ OC’

B’C’ OC’ tan a tan a

tan A = tan A’ = = =
A’C’ OC’ sin b sin b

Finally,

OC’ OA’
cos a = cos b =
OB’ OC’

OA’ OA’
OB’ cos a = cos a cos b = = cos c
cos b OB’
Rearranging these formulas together with those formulas form when line
A’B’ and B’C’ is made to be perpendicular to the edge OB will compose the
formulas for the solution of right spherical triangles. The lists of 10 formulas are
as follows:

sin a = sin c sin A [1]

sin b = sin c sin B [2]
tan b = tan c cos A [3]
tan a = tan c cos B [4]
tan a = sin b tan A [5]
tan b = sin a tan B [6]
cos c = cos a cos b [7]
cos c = cot A cot B [8]
 cos A = cos a sin B [9]
cos B = cos b sin A [10 ]

Napier’s Rules

From the foregoing formulas mentioned for the solution of right spherical
triangle, John Napier, a Scottish mathematician and inventor of logarithm, devices
two rules called Napier’s Rules to make the 10 formulas easy to remember.

Figure 9.2 shows a right spherical triangle with right angle at C such that
angle A is replaced by co-A, (meaning complement of A), angle B with co-B and
side c with co-c. The five parts of the right spherical triangle can be further
arranged in a circular pattern called Napier’s wheel as shown in figure 9.3. (Paul
Rider, 1971)

A (co-A)

b
co-c co-B
c (co-c)
C co-A a

a b
B (co-B)

Figure 9.2 Figure 9.3

Any part of the five parts shown in figure 9.3 is called the middle part, the
next two parts next to the middle part are called adjacent parts, and remaining two
parts are called opposite parts. This follows that the adjacent parts and the middle
parts changes as soon as the middle part takes its turn in any of the five parts of the
Napier’s wheel. For example, consider co-A as your middle part, then b and co-c
are your adjacent parts and a and co-B are your opposite parts.

With regards to the preceding figure, the Napier’s Rules states as follows.
 Rule I: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the
tangents of the adjacent parts.

Rule II: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the
cosine of the opposite parts.

For easy recall of the Napier’s Rules, just remember the key words such
that if you use tangent then it should be adjacent or if it is cosine then it should be
opposite. These may help you remember the rules.

The following two examples will illustrate the use of Napier’s Rules to
derive the 10 formulas earlier derived using trigonometric functions which will be
used for solving the missing parts of a right spherical triangle only.

EXAMPLE 1. From Rule I;

sin a = tan b tan co-B
sin a = tan b cot B
1
sin a = tan b [ tan B
]

tan b = sin a tan B [formula 6]

EXAMPLE 2. From Rule II;

sin co- A = cos a cos co-B

cos A = cos a sin B [formula 9]

Remember : The sine of the complement of A [sin co-A] is cosine A

[cos A] and the cosine of the complement of A [cos co-A]
is sine A [sin A]. It also follows that the tangent of the
complement of A [tan co-A] is cotangent of A [cot A] and
conversely. (Chapter 2)
At this point, we are now ready to solve for the missing sides and/or angles
of a right spherical triangle given any two parts. However, it should be noted that
sometimes there exist an ambiguous case just like in the plane trigonometry, such
that a problem may have two, one, or no solution. To further specify your answers,
two more theorems were presented by Napier to help you finalized to your correct
answer.

Theorem I: In a right spherical triangle, an oblique angle and the

opposite side terminate in the same quadrant and
conversely.

Theorem II: If any two of the three sides a,b,c terminate in the same
quadrant; the third terminates in the first quadrant; if any
two terminate in different quadrants, the third terminates
in the second quadrant.

We will now apply the 10 formulas to solve for the missing parts of the
spherical triangle. We will also apply Theorem I and Theorem II to further justify
our answers. These groups of answers are also correct when properly paired.

The 10 formulas to be use maybe obtained by either memorizing them or

by using the Napier’s Rules. If you intend to use the 10 formulas, the given side/s
and/or angle/s will identify which of the 10 formulas will be use. The given will
also dictate which to consider as the middle part and what rule to follow when
using Napier’s Rules.

EXAMPLE 3: In a right spherical triangle C = 90 o angle B = 35o 30’, and

side b = 29o 15’. Solve for the remaining parts of the
spherical triangle.

Given: b = 29o 15’ B = 35o 30’

Solution : Using the 10 formulas.

cos B = cos b sin A [formula 10]

cos B
sin A =
cos b

cos 350 30’

A = sin -1
cos 290 15’
–1
A = sin (0. 93309)
 A = 68o 55’ or 111o 05’

sin b = sin c sin B [formula 2]

sin b
sin c =
sin B

sin 290 15’

c = sin -1
sin 350 30’

c = sin – 1 (0.84143)
c = 57o 17’ or 122o 43’

tan a = sin b tan A [formula 5]

a = tan – 1 [( sin 29o 15’) (tan 68o 55’)]
a = tan – 1 (1.26739)
a = 51o 44’ or 128o 16’

Analyzing the answers found, using theorem I, if A terminate in the first

quadrant (less than 900) then the side opposite also terminate in the first quadrant.
Using theorem II, if any two sides terminate in the same quadrant (both less than
900 or both greater than 90 0), then the third side terminates in the first quadrant
(less than 900). If any two sides terminate in different quadrants (one is less than
900 and the other is greater than 90 0), then the third side terminates in the second
quadrant (greater than 900).

Our group of answers are as follows:

A = 68o 55’ a = 51o 44’ c = 57o 17’

A = 111o 05’ a = 128o 16’ c = 122o 43’
The above example makes use of the 10 derived formulas. In the
succeeding examples, we will try to solve for the missing parts of a right spherical
triangle using Napier’s Rules with the aid of Napier’s wheel.
EXAMPLE 4 : In a right spherical triangle (c = 90 0), side a = 110o 45’
and angle B = 135o 10’. Find the remaining parts.

Given: a = 110o 45’ B = 135o 10’

Solution:
co-c co-B

co-A a
From Rule II:
b
sin co-A = (cos a) (cos co-B)
cos A = (cos a)(sin B)
cos A = (cos 110o 45’)(sin 135o 10’)
A = cos –1 ( - 0.24979..)
A = 104o 28’

From Rule I: sin b = (tan co-A)( tan a)

sin b = (cot A)( tan a )
1
sin b = [ ] tan a
tan A

tan 1100 45’

b = sin -1
tan 1040 28’

b = sin –1 (0.68097 …)
b = 420 55’ or 1370 05’

From Rule I: sin co-B = (tan co-c)(tan a)

cos B = (cot c)(tan a)
1
cos B = ( tan c
)(tan a)

1
tan c = ( cos B
)(tan a)
 1
tan c = ( )(tan 110o 45’)
cos 135o 10’

c = tan –1 ( 3.7219..)
c = 740 58’

Theorem I and theorem II tells us that the correct answers are; A = 104 0
28’, b = 1370 05’, and c = 740 58’.

EXAMPLE 5 : Given the parts of a right spherical triangle C = 90 o,

B = 135o 00’ and b = 105o 10’ .

Given: B = 135o 00’ b = 105o 10’

co-c co-B
Solution:
co-A a
b
Rule I : sin a = (tan co-B)(tan b)
sin a = (cot B)(tan b)
1
sin a = ( )(tan b)
tan B

1
a = sin –1 ( tan 1350 00’
)(tan 105o 10’)

a = sin –1 (3.68909..)
a = error ( no solution)

Obviously, the sine of a whole number is impossible. This follows that

there is no solution to the problem, or simply the right spherical triangle does not
exist.
 As mentioned earlier, John Napier is an inventor of logarithm. To give
further honor to him, the next two examples will be solve using the concept of
logarithm. As a fact, logarithm is best employed when using a logarithmic table or
a useful table used by maritime students. In the contrary, using logarithm and
calculator is a big fool. It simply makes your work more tedious. In short, if you
are using a calculator, then use it to solve for the trigonometric functions in the
Napier’s Rules. If you are using a useful table, then express Napier’s Rules into its
equivalent logarithmic functions and look for the values of the trigonometric
functions on the logarithmic table.

In solving for the next example, it is assumed that the readers know how to
look for the values of the logarithm and antilogarithm of trigonometric functions
from the table. It also follows that the readers have thorough knowledge about the
laws relating to logarithm and antilogarithm.

EXAMPLE 6: Solve for the remaining parts of a right spherical triangle

ABC where C = 900, a = 750 40’, and b = 610 30’.

Given: a = 750 40’ b = 610 30’

co-c co-B
Solution:
co-A a
Rule II: sin co-c = (cos a)(cos b) b
cos c = (cos a)(cos b)
log cos c = log cos a + log cos b [addition law]
0 0
log cos c = log cos 75 40’ + log cos 61 30’
c = antilog cos ( 0.39369 + 0.67866 )
c = antilog cos 0.07235
c = 830 13’

Rule I: sin co-A = (tan co-c)(tan b)

cos A = (cot c)(tan b)
 log cos A = log cot c + log tan b [addition law]
0 0
log cos A = log cot 83 13’ + log tan 61 30’
A = antilog cos ( 0.07536 + 0.26524 )
A = antilog cos 0.34060
A = 770 21’

Rule II: sin co-B = (cos co-A)(cos b)

cos B = (sin A)(cos b)
log cos B = log sin A + log cos b [addition law]
0 0
log cos B = log sin 77 21’ + log cos 61 30’
B = antilog cos ( 0.98933 + 0. 67866 )
B = antilog cos 0.66799
B = 620 15’

EXAMPLE 7: Solve for the remaining parts of a right spherical triangle

ABC where C = 900, a = 1060 15’, and B = 560 24’.

Given: a = 106 0 15’ B = 560 24’

co-c co-B
Solution:
co-A a
b

Rule II: sin co-A = (cos co-B)(cos a)

cos A = (sin B)(cos a)
log cos A = log sin B + log cos a [addition law]
log cos A = log sin 560 24’ + log cos 1060 15’
A = antilog cos ( 0.92060 + 0.44689 )
A = antilog cos 0.36749
 A = 760 31’ or 1030 29’
Rule I: sin b = (tan co-A)(tan a)
sin b = (cot A)(tan a)
log sin b = log cot A + log tan a [addition law]
log sin b = log cot 760 31’ + log tan 106 0 15’
b = antilog sin ( 0.37980 + 0.53540 )
b = antilog sin 0.91520
b = 550 21’

Rule I: sin co-c = (tan co-A)(tan co-B)

cos c = (cot A)(cot B )
log cos c = log cot A + log cot B [addition law]
0 0
log cos c = log cot 76 31’ + log cot 56 24’
c = antilog cos ( 0.37980 + 0.82243 )
c = antilog cos 0.20223
c = 800 50’ or 990 10’

Basing on theorem I and theorem II, our answers are as follows:

A = 1030 29’ b = 550 21’ c = 990 10’

PROBLEM SET 9. 1

Find the remaining parts of a right spherical triangle ( C = 90 0 ) by any

method most convenient to you.

1. A = 45o 10’ a = 75o 55’

2. A = 110o 30’ B = 135o 45’
3. c = 76o 42’ b = 49o 12’
4. a = 12o 50’ b = 81o 35’
 5. B = 140o 12’ c = 100o
6. B = 89o b = 55o 45’
7. a = 149o 35 B = 120o 08’
8. a = 120o 10’ c = 48o 18’
9. A = 176o 05’ c = 112o 15’
10. A = 135o 10’ a = 172o 50’
11. c = 14o 12’ 10’’ b = 79o 10’ 30’’
12. A = 128o B = 101o 14’
13. a = 105. 25o b = 79.48o
14. B = 118.45o b = 98o 14’
15. a = 35.35o b = 65.75o

Quadrantal Triangle

A spherical triangle having one side measuring exactly 90 0 is called

quadrantal triangle. A quadrantal triangle is the polar triangle of a right spherical
triangle and conversely. It follows that to solve for the missing parts of a
quadrantal triangle, the method used in solving for the right spherical triangle
previously discussed still holds through. Provided however, that the quadrantal
triangle should be converted into its polar triangle, remembering the fact that each
angle of a spherical triangle is the supplement of the corresponding side of the
polar triangle.

EXAMPLE 8: Solve for the remaining parts of a spherical triangle ABC

where c = 900, a = 1050 42’, and B = 1180 30’.

Given: c = 900 a = 105o 42’ B = 118o 30’

Solution:

C’ + c = 1800 A’ + a = 1800 B + b’ = 1800

C’ = 1800 - 900 A’ = 1800 – 1050 42’ b’ = 1800 – 1180 30’
C’ = 900 A’ = 740 18’ b’ = 610 30’
 co-c’ co-B’
From Rule II:
co-A’ a’
sin co-B’ = (cos b’) (cos co-A’)
b’
cos B’ = (cos b’)(sin A’)
cos B’ = (cos 61o 30’)(sin 74o 18’)
B’ = cos –1 ( 0.45935..)
B’ = 62o 39’

From Rule I: sin b’ = (tan co-A’)( tan a’)

sin b’ = (cot A’)( tan a’ )
1
sin b’ = [ tan A’
] tan a’

tan a’ = (sin 610 30’)(tan 740 18’)

a’ = tan –1 ( 3.12649..)
a’ = 740 16’

From Rule II: sin co-c’ = (cos a’) (cos b’)

cos c’ = (cos a’)(cos b’)
cos c’ = (cos 74o 16’)(cos 61o 30’)
c’ = cos –1 ( 0.129386..)
c’ = 82 o 34’

C + c’ = 1800 A + a’ = 1800 B’ + b = 1800

C = 1800 - 82o 34’ A = 1800 - 740 16’ b = 1800 - 62o 39’
C = 970 26’ A = 1050 44’ b = 1170 21’
Final Answer: C = 970 26’ A = 1050 44’ b = 1170 21’
EXAMPLE 9: Given the parts of a spherical triangle ABC where c = 90 0,
A = 750 15’, and B = 1330 18’. Solve for a, b, & C.

Given: c = 900 A = 75o 15’ B = 133o 18’

Solution:

C’ + c = 1800 A + a’ = 1800 B + b’ = 1800

C’ = 1800 - 900 a’ = 1800 – 750 15’ b’ = 1800 – 1330 18’
C’ = 900 a’ = 1040 45’ b’ = 460 42’

cos c’ = cos a’ cos b’ [ formula 7 ]

cos c’ = (cos a’)( log cos b’)
cos c’ = (cos 1040 45’)(cos 460 42’)
c’ = cos –1 ( - 0.17461… )
c’ = 1000 03’

tan b’ = sin a’ tan B’ [ formula 6 ]

tan b’
tan B’ =
sin a’
tan 460 42’
tan B’ =
sin 1040 45’

1.06117…
tan B’ =
0.9670..

B’ = tan –1 1.0973..
B’ = 470 39’

sin a’ = sin c’ sin A’ [ formula 1 ]

sin a’
sin A’ =
sin c’
 sin 1040 45’
sin A’ =
sin 1000 03’

0.967045..
sin A’ =
0.98465..
A’ = sin –1 0.98211…
A’ = 1000 51’

C + c’ = 1800 A’ + a’ = 1800 B’ + b = 1800

C = 1800 - 1000 03’ a = 1800 – 1000 51’ b = 1800 – 470 39’
C = 790 57’ a = 790 09’ b = 1320 21’

Final answer: C = 790 57’ a = 790 09’ b = 1320 21’

PROBLEM SET 9.2

Find the remaining parts of a quadrantal triangle ( c = 90 0 ) by any method.

1. B = 89o b = 55o 45’

2. a = 30o 35’ B = 120o 15’
3. a = 120o 10’ C = 108o 18’
4. A = 176o 05’ C = 112o 15’
5. A = 135o 10’ a = 172o 50’
6. B = 14o 12’ 10’’ b = 79o 10’ 30’’
7. A = 128o B = 101o 14’
8. a = 105. 25o b = 79.48o
9. B = 118.45o C = 78o 15’
10. a = 135o 30’ b = 65o 00’
Isosceles Spherical Triangle

When two angles of a spherical triangle are equal, it also follows that the
two opposite sides are equal, and the triangle is called isosceles spherical triangle.
An isosceles spherical triangle is not a right spherical triangle. However, this kind
of triangle can be solved by construction such that an arc from the vertex of an
isosceles triangle is drawn to the midpoint of the opposite side that will divide the
triangle into two symmetric right spherical triangles. The measure of the sides and
angles of the resulting triangles can then be computed using the concept used in
solving right spherical triangle.

To further illustrate the procedure, consider the following examples.

EXAMPLE 10: Find the remaining parts of an isosceles spherical

triangle ABC, where A = C = 51o 10’ and b = 74o 40’

Given: A = C = 51o 10’ b = 74o 40’

Solution:

Draw a line from B to the midpoint of side b at D, dividing both

angle B and side b into two equal parts.

From triangle ADB; B

D = 900
a
b’ = b/2 = 37o 20’
c a’
A = 51o 10’
B = B/2 D C

A b
tan a = sin b tan A
tan a’ = sin b/2 tan A
a’ = tan – 1 [(sin 37o 20’)( tan 51o 10’)]
a’ = tan – 1 (.753375)
 a’ = 37o 00’

cos c = cos a cos b [ formula 7 ]

cos c = cos a’ cos b/2
c = cos –1 [(cos 37o)(cos 37o 20’)]
c = cos –1 (0.63501)
c = 50o 35’

cos B = cos b sin A [ formula 10 ]

B
cos /2 = cos b/2 sin A
B
/2 = cos –1 [(cos 37o 20’)(sin 51o 10’)]
B
/2 = cos –1 (0.61938)
B
/2 = 51o 44’

From the figure; B = 2 (B/2)

B = 2 (51o 44’)
B = 103o 28’
a = c = 50o 35’

Final Answer: a = 50o 35’ c = 50o 35’ B = 103o 28’

EXAMPLE 11 : Find the missing sides of a spherical triangle given all

angles are equal measuring 80o 30’ each.

Solution B

a
c a’

C
D
A
 cos B = cos b sin A [ Formula 10 ]
cos B/2
cos b/2 =
sin A

b cos 400 15’

/2 = cos –1 sin 800 30’

b
/2 = cos –1 (0.77384)
b
/2 = 39o 18’
b = 78o 36’

Since the triangle has three equal angles it follows that it has three equal
sides, therefore the measure of the sides are:
a = b = c = 78o 36’

PROBLEM SET 9.3

Find the missing parts of an isosceles spherical triangle.

1. A = C = 50o 10’ c = 95o

2. a = b = 100o c = 68o 40’
3. B = C = 78o 44’ b = 18o 16’
4. A = B = 112o 40’ b = 78o 20’
5. a = 120o 20 ‘ A = B = 60o
6. A = C = 111o 12’ b = 40o 18’
7. B = C = 98o 40’ c = 45o 55’
8. A = B = 42o 50’ c = 68o 18’
9. a = b = c = 120o
10. A = B = C = 75o 10’
SUMMARY

 Napier’s Rule states that ;

Rule I The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the tangents of
the adjacent parts.
Rule II The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the cosine of
the opposite parts.

 The rules of the quadrant states that;

Theorem I - In a right spherical triangle, an oblique angle and the
opposite side terminate in the same quadrant.

Theorem II - If any two of the three parts a,b,c terminate in the same
quadrant; the third terminates in the first quadrant; if any two
terminate in different quadrants, the third terminates in the
second quadrant.

 The 10 derived formulas used in right spherical triangle are as follows:

sin a = sin c sin A sin b = sin c sin B
tan b = tan c cos A tan a = tan c cos B
tan a = sin b tan A tan b = sin a tan B
cos c = cos a cos b cos c = cot A cot B
cos A = cos a sin B cos B = cos b sin A

 A spherical triangle having one side measuring exactly 90 0 is called quadrantal

triangle.

 A quadrantal triangle is the polar triangle of a right spherical triangle and

conversely.

 An isosceles spherical triangle is a triangle with two angles equal and two
corresponding sides equal.

Words to Remember :

right spherical triangle quadrantal triangle

 isosceles spherical triangle
CHAPTER TEST

I. Use Napier’s Rule to derive the following formula :

1. sin a = sin c sin A

2. tan a = tan c cos B
3. tan b = sin a tan B
4. cos c = cos a cos b
5. cos B = cos b sin A

II. Solve the remaining parts of a right spherical , C = 90 0 , given;

1. c = 1200 15’ A = 810 45’

2. A = 630 42’ B = 1000 13’
3. a = 1050 32’ b = 880 09’
4. c = 800 45’ B = 670 38’
5. a = 730 42’ A = 1210 14’

III. Solve for the remaining parts of a quadrantal triangle, given;

1. a = 950 45’ 2. A = 1530 15’
B = 1170 50’ b = 190 05’
c = 900 c = 900

IV. Find the remaining parts of an isosceles spherical triangle given;

1. A = B = 720 18’ c = 1050 10’

2. a = C = 810 43’ b = 1000 30’