UBSHS FORM: ST-02

Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

LECTURE NOTES
(May 11 – May 16)

Lesson: Law of Sines

Time: 5 Hours
Pre-requisite: Trigonometric Ratios, Angle of elevation and depression
Textbook: Pages 467 – 476,

About the Lesson: This lesson focuses on the applications of the law of sines on solving parts of oblique
triangles.

Objectives:
1. Solve unknown measurement of a triangle using Law of sines.
2. Solve problems involving oblique triangles.

Lesson Proper:
Not all triangles are right triangles. To solve the parts of a right triangle, we used the trigonometric
ratios as presented in our previous topics. How about if we have an oblique triangle? An oblique triangle is a
triangle that is not a right triangle, it can be an acute or obtuse triangle.
The parts of an oblique triangle can be solved by using what we call “Law of Sines.” For you to be able
to use the Law of Sines, at least any of the following criteria should be satisfied:
1. An angle with its opposite side and another side are given or the measurements are known.
2. Two angles and a side are given.

Law of Sines

The law of sines is derived by using the trigonometric ratio (Soh) on an oblique triangle by dividing it
into two right triangles and equating the resulting equations (refer to Page 467 on the textbook). With this, the
law of sines states that in any ∆ ABC ,
a b c
= =
sin A sin B sin C

Where a is the side opposite of angle A, b is the side opposite of angle B, and c is the side opposite
angle C. To solve for a missing side or an angle, you can equate any of the 3 expressions. To illustrate this,
given below are the possible pairings that we can have:
a b b c a c
= , = , = .
sin A sin B sin B sin C sin A sin C

To further understand the process on the use of the law of sines, examples are provided.

Example 1. (Try this on page 468)

Solve ∆ RAT , given a=8 , A=510 , and R=470 .

To solve, let use have a simple illustration of the triangle.

510
t r
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

R 47 0 T
a=8

From the figure, there are two unknown sides and an unknown angle. Also, the opposite side of an
angle is named using the lower case of its angle to avoid confusion.

i) Solving side r
To solve for any side or angle, a pair (angle and opposite side) of known values will always be
used. In our case, we have angle A and side a. Using this pair, we can formulate the equation
a r → unknown
=
sin A sin R
By substituting the given values, we have
8 r
=
sin 51 sin 47 0
0

Cross-multiply,
8 sin 470
=r
sin 510
7.53=r

ii) Solving angle T

We will solve angle T first since we cannot solve side t without its corresponding angle.
To solve for angle T, we will use the property of the interior angles of a triangle where their sum is
equal to 180 degrees.
R+ A+T =180 0
47 0 +510 +T =1800
98+T =180
T =180−98
T =820
iii) Solving side t
To solve for side t, we will use again angle A and side a.
a t →unknown
=
sin A sin T
By substituting the given values, we have
8 t
=
sin 51 sin 820
0

Cross-multiply,
8 sin 820
=t
sin 510
10.19=t

To check your answers, you can visually compare the sides. The largest angle should be opposite
the longest side and the smallest angle is opposite the smallest side. To illustrate this, observe the
pattern below:

Angle Opposite Side

Angle T = 820 (largest) t = 10.19 (longest)
Angle A = 510 (middle) a = 8 (middle)
0
Angle R = 47 (smallest) r = 7.53 (shortest)
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

Example 2.

To solve for angle C, we need a pair composed of an angle and its opposite side that are of known values. In
the figure we have, 36 yd. as the opposite of angle A. Thus, the equation is given by,
a c
=
sin A sinC → unknown
By substituting the given values in the equation, we have,
36 23
=
sin 100 sin C
0

Cross-multiply,
23sin 1000
sin C=¿ ¿
36
23 sin 1000
C=sin −1 ( 36 )
C=38.990

Example 3. (Try this on page 472)

Solve for the unknown measurements of the ∆ ABC , given a=9, b=12, and m∠ A=350 .

Since an angle, its opposite side and another side were given, it suggests that we may have 2 cases for this
type of triangle.

To check the possible cases or solutions that you can have, refer to the figure below. The figure illustrates the
SSA possibilities.

If a< c and a> c sin A ,

then two triangles are possible.
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

Let us check for solutions using the SSA possibilities. Take note that side a & b are given. Since a=9<b=12
and a> b sin A → 9>12 sin 350 →9> 6.88, then we have two possible solutions.

Let us make our illustration for the two cases.

B1

B2
c h a=9

a=9
0
A 35 C
b=12

1st Case (Blue line) Cross-multiply

i) Solving for angle B1 9 sin 95.110
=c
Since side b is given, it is better to solve sin 350
for its opposite angle. Again, we will use 15.63=c
an angle and its opposite side that are
given. In our case, we will use angle A
and side a. Using the following data, the
equation is given by,
a b 2nd Case (Red line)
=
sin A sin B →unknown i) Solving for angle B2
Substituting the given values,
For angle B2, its exterior angle is the
9 12
= angle B1. To solve for angle B2, we just
sin 35 sin B
0

Cross-multiply subtract B1 from 180 degrees.

12sin 35 0
sin B= B2=180−B 1
9
B2=180−49.89
12 sin 350
B=sin −1 ( 9 ) B2=130.110
B=49.890

ii) Solving for Angle C

ii) Solving for angle C
A+ B+C=1800 A+ B+C=1800
350 + 49.890 +C=1800 350 +130.11 0+C=180 0
84.89+C=180 165.11+C=180
C=180−84.89 C=180−165.11
C=95.11 0 C=14.890

iii) Solving for side c

a c → unknown
= iii) Solving for side c
sin A sinC
a c → unknown
Substituting the given values, =
sin A sinC
9 c
= Substituting the given values,
sin 35 sin 95.11 0
0
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

9 c
=
sin 35 sin 14.890
0

Cross-multiply
9 sin 14.890
=c
sin35 0
4.03=c

Here is the summary of the two solutions:

1st Case 2nd Case

Angle Opposite Side Angle Opposite Side
Angle A = 350 a=9 Angle A = 350 a=9
Angle B = 49.89 0 b = 12 Angle B = 130.110 b = 12
0 0
Angle C = 95.11 c = 15.63 Angle C = 14.89 c = 4.03

We can observe that still, the longest side is opposite the largest angle and the shortest side is opposite the
smallest angle.

Since we now have an idea on how to solve the missing parts of an oblique triangle, let us apply these
concepts in solving word problems.

Example 4.
A chandelier is suspended from the ceiling by two chains. One chain is 42 cm long and forms a 580 angle with
the ceiling. The other chain is 60 cm long. What angle does the longer chain make with the ceiling?

We can follow the steps given from the previous topic.

Step 1. Read and understand the problem.
Step 2. Illustration:

580 X

42 cm 60 cm

Step 3. Equation:
Note: 60 cm is opposite of 58 degrees and 42 cm is opposite of angle X.
60 42
=
sin 58 0
sin X
Step 4. Solution:
Cross-multiply.
42 sin58 0
sin X =
60
42sin 580
X =sin −1
( 60 )
Step 5. Answer:
X =36.420
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

Formative Assessment

Find each measurement indicated. Round off your answers to the nearest tenth. Answer the following before
comparing it with the answers provided.

1. Find BC 4. Find AC

5. Find AC

2. Find AB

6.

3. Find AC

7.
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

8.

Note: The answer key for the formative assessment will be uploaded on May 13, 2020 (Wednesday) in our
google classroom for you to check your answers/solutions.

Summative Assessment
Find each measurement indicated. Round off your answers to the nearest tenth. (4 points each)

1. Find BC
4. Find BC

5. Find AB
2. Find AC

6.

3. Find BC

7.
 UBSHS FORM: ST-02
Revised 2020

SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: www.ubaguio.edu

8.

Rubric:
Correct Equation: 2 points
Correct Solution/answer: 2 points

Due date: May 16, 2020 (Saturday)