®

Applications of
Trigonometry  

to Triangles 4.4 

Introduction
We originally introduced trigonometry using right-angled triangles. However, the subject has appli-
cations in dealing with any triangles such as those that might arise in surveying, navigation or the
study of mechanisms.
In this Section we show how, given certain information about a triangle, we can use appropriate rules,
called the Sine rule and the Cosine rule, to fully ‘solve the triangle’ i.e. obtain the lengths of all
the sides and the size of all the angles of that triangle.

#
• have a knowledge of the basics of
trigonometry
Prerequisites
Before starting this Section you should . . . • be aware of the standard trigonometric
identities
"
# !
• use trigonometry in everyday situations
Learning Outcomes • fully determine all the sides and angles and
On completion you should be able to . . . the area of any triangle from partial
information
" !

HELM (2008): 53
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
1. Applications of trigonometry to triangles
Area of a triangle
1
The area S of any triangle is given by S = × (base) × (perpendicular height) where ‘perpendicular
2
height’ means the perpendicular distance from the side called the ‘base’ to the opposite vertex. Thus
1
for the right-angled triangle shown in Figure 33(a) S = b a. For the obtuse-angled triangle
2
1
shown in Figure 33(b) the area is S = bh.
2
B B
c c
a a h

A θ A θ C D
C
b b C
(a) (b)

Figure 33
If we use C to denote the angle ACB in Figure 33(b) then
h
sin(180 − C) = (triangle BCD is right-angled)
. a
.. h = a sin(180 − C) = a sin C (see the graph of the sine wave or expand sin(180 − c))
1
. .. S= b a sin C 1(a)
2
By other similar constructions we could demonstrate that
1
S= a c sin B 1(b)
2
and
1
S= b c sin A 1(c)
2
Note the pattern here: in each formula for the area the angle involved is the one between the sides
whose lengths occur in that expression.
Clearly if C is a right-angle (so sin C = 1) then
1
S= b a as for Figure 33(a).
2
Note: from now on we will not generally write ‘≡’ but use the more usual ‘=’.

54 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry
 ®

The Sine rule

The Sine rule is a formula which, if we are given certain information about a triangle, enables us to
fully ‘solve the triangle’ i.e. obtain the lengths of all three sides and the value of all three angles.
To show the rule we note that from the formulae (1a) and (1b) for the area S of the triangle ABC
in Figure 33 we have
b c
ba sin C = ac sin B or =
sin B sin C
Similarly using (1b) and (1c)
a b
ac sin B = bc sin A or =
sin A sin B

Key Point 18
The Sine Rule
For any triangle ABC where a is the length of the side opposite angle A, b the side length opposite
angle B and c the side length opposite angle C states
a b c
= =
sin A sin B sin C

Use of the Sine rule

To be able to fully determine all the angles and sides of a triangle it follows from the Sine rule that
we must know
either two angles and one side : (knowing two angles of a triangle really means that all
three are known since the sum of the angles is 180◦ )
or two sides and an angle opposite one of those two sides.

Example 3
Solve the triangle ABC given that a = 32 cm, b = 46 cm and angle B = 63.25◦ .

Solution
Using the first pair of equations in the Sine rule (Key Point 18) we have
32 46 32
= . .. sin A = sin 63.25◦ = 0.6212
sin A sin 63.25◦ 46

so A = sin−1 (0.6212) = 38.4◦ (by calculator)

HELM (2008): 55
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
 Solution (contd.)
You should, however, note carefully that because of the form of the graph of the sine function there
are two angles between 0◦ and 180◦ which have the same value for their sine i.e. x and (180 − x).
See Figure 34.
sin θ

x 180◦ − x θ

Figure 34
In our example
A = sin−1 (0.6212) = 38.4◦
or
A = 180◦ − 38.4◦ = 141.6◦ .
However since we are given that angle B is 63.25◦ , the value of 141.6◦ for angle A is clearly
impossible.
To complete the problem we simply note that
C = 180◦ − (38.4◦ + 63.25◦ ) = 78.35◦
The remaining side c is calculated from the Sine rule, using either a and sin A or b and sin B.

Task
Find the length of side c in Example 3.

Your solution

Answer
a c
Using, for example, =
sin A sin C
sin C sin 78.35◦ 32 × 0.9794
we have c=a = 32 × = = 50.45 cm.
sin A 0.6212 0.6212

56 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry
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The ambiguous case

When, as in Example 3, we are given two sides and the non-included angle of a triangle, particular
care is required.
Suppose that sides b and c and the angle B are given. Then the angle C is given by the Sine rule as
B
sin B c a
sin C = c
b C
A b
Figure 35
Various cases can arise:
(i) c sin B > b
c sin B
This implies that > 1 in which case no triangle exists since sin C cannot exceed 1.
b
(ii) c sin B = b
c sin B
In this case sin C = = 1 so C = 90◦ .
b
(iii) c sin B < b
c sin B
Hence sin C = < 1.
b
As mentioned earlier there are two possible values of angle C in the range 0 to 180◦ , one acute angle
(< 90◦ ) and one obtuse (between 90◦ and 180◦ .) These angles are C1 = x and C2 = 180 − x. See
Figure 36.
If the given angle B is greater than 90◦ then the obtuse angle C2 is not a possible solution because,
of course, a triangle cannot possess two obtuse angles.

c
b b

B C2 C1
B C2 C1
Figure 36
For B less than 90◦ there are still two possibilities.
If the given side b is greater than the given side c, the obtuse angle solution C2 is not possible because
then the larger angle would be opposite the smaller side. (This was the situation in Example 3.)
The final case
b < c, B < 90◦
does give rise to two possible values C1 , C2 of the angle C and is referred to as the ambiguous
case. In this case there will be two possible values a1 and a2 for the third side of the triangle
corresponding to the two angle values
A1 = 180◦ − (B + C1 )
A2 = 180◦ − (B + C2 )

HELM (2008): 57
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
 Task
Show that two triangles fit the following data for a triangle ABC:
a = 4.5 cm b = 7 cm A = 35◦
Obtain the sides and angle of both possible triangles.

Your solution

Answer
b sin A 7 sin 35◦
We have, by the Sine rule, sin B = = = 0.8922
a 4.5
So B = sin−1 0.8922 − 63.15◦ (by calculator) or 180 − 63.15◦ = 116.85◦ .
In this case, both values of B are indeed possible since both values are larger than angle A (side b
is longer than side a). This is the ambiguous case with two possible triangles.

B = B1 = 63.15◦ B = B2 = 116.85◦
C = C1 = 81.85◦ C = C2 = 28.15◦
c1 4.5 c2 4.5
c = c1 where = c = c2 where =
sin 81.85◦ sin 35◦ sin 28.15 sin 35◦
4.5 × 0.9899 4.5 × 0.4718
c1 = c2 =
0.5736 0.5736

= 7.766 cm = 3.701 cm
You can clearly see that we have one acute angled triangle AB1 C1 and one obtuse angled AB2 C2
corresponding to the given data.

58 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry
 ®

The Cosine rule

The Cosine rule is an alternative formula for ‘solving a triangle’ ABC. It is particularly useful for
the case where the Sine rule cannot be used, i.e. when two sides of the triangle are known together
with the angle between these two sides.

Consider the two triangles ABC shown in Figure 37.

B
B

a c a
c

A A
C A C
D A D
b b

(a) (b)

Figure 37
In Figure 37(a) using the right-angled triangle ABD, BD = c sin A.

In Figure 37(b) using the right-angled triangle ABD, BD = c sin(π − A) = c sin A.

In Figure 37(a) DA = c cos A . .. CD = b − c cos A

In Figure 37(b) DA = c cos(180 − A) = −c cos A . .. CD = b + AD = b − c cos A

In both cases, in the right-angled triangle BDC

(BC)2 = (CD)2 + (BD)2

So, using the above results,

a2 = (b − c cos A)2 + c2 (sin A)2 = b2 − 2bc cos A + c2 (cos2 A + sin2 A)

giving

a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A (3)

Equation (3) is one form of the Cosine rule. Clearly it can be used, as we stated above, to calculate
the side a if the sides b and c and the included angle A are known.

Note that if A = 90◦ , cos A = 0 and (3) reduces to Pythagoras’ theorem.

Two similar formulae to (3) for the Cosine rule can be similarly derived - see following Key Point:

HELM (2008): 59
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
 Key Point 19
Cosine Rule
For any triangle with sides a, b, c and corresponding angles A, B, C

b 2 + c 2 − a2
a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A cos A =
2bc
c 2 + a2 − b 2
b2 = c2 + a2 − 2ca cos B cos B =
2ca
a + b2 − c 2
2
c2 = a2 + b2 − 2bc cos C cos C =
2ab

Example 4
Solve the triangle where b = 7.00 cm, c = 3.59 cm, A = 47◦ .

Solution
Since two sides and the angle A between these sides is given we must first use the Cosine rule in
the form (3a):

a2 = (7.00)2 + (3.59)2 − 2(7.00)(3.59) cos 47◦ = 49 + 12.888 − 34.277 = 27.610

√
so a = 27.610 = 5.255 cm.

We can now most easily use the Sine rule to solve one of the remaining angles:
7.00 5.255 7.00 sin 47◦
= so sin B = = 0.9742
sin B sin 47◦ 5.255
from which B = B1 = 76.96◦ or B = B2 = 103.04◦ .
At this stage it is not obvious which value is correct or whether this is the ambiguous case and both
values of B are possible.
The two possible values for the remaining angle C are
C1 = 180◦ − (47◦ + 76.96◦ ) = 56.04◦

C2 = 180◦ − (47 + 103.04) = 29.96◦

Since for the sides of this triangle b > a > c then similarly for the angles we must have
B > A > C so the value C2 = 29.96◦ is the correct one for the third side.

The Cosine rule can also be applied to some triangles where the lengths a, b and c of the three sides
are known and the only calculations needed are finding the angles.

60 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry
 ®

Task
A triangle ABC has sides
a = 7cm b = 11 cm c = 12 cm.
Obtain the values of all the angles of the triangle. (Use Key Point 19.)

Your solution

Answer
Suppose we find angle A first using the following formula from Key Point 19
b 2 + c 2 − a2
cos A =
2bc
112 + 122 − 72
Here cos A = = 0.818 so A = cos−1 (0.818) = 35.1◦
2 × 11 × 12
(There is no other possibility between 0◦ and 180◦ for A. No ‘ambiguous case’ arises using the
Cosine rule!)
Another angle B or C could now be obtained using the Sine rule or the Cosine rule.
Using the following formula from Key Point 19:
c 2 + a2 − b 2 122 + 72 − 112
cos B = = = 0.429 so B = cos−1 (0.429) = 64.6◦
2ca 2 × 12 × 7
Since A + B + C = 180◦ we can deduce C = 80.3◦

HELM (2008): 61
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
 Exercises
1. Determine the remaining angles and sides for the following triangles:

(a) A
c 130◦ 6
20◦
B a C

(b) 3 4

80◦ C
B a C

(c) A
10 b
◦
26
B C
12

(d) The triangles ABC with B = 50◦ , b = 5, c = 6. (Take special care here!)

2. Determine all the angles of the triangles ABC where the sides have lengths a = 7, b = 66
and c = 9

3. Two ships leave a port at 8.00 am, one travelling at 12 knots (nautical miles per hour) the
other at 10 knots. The faster ship maintains a bearing of N 47◦ W, the slower one a bearing
S20◦ W. Calculate the separation of the ships at midday. (Hint: Draw an appropriate diagram.)

4. The crank mechanism shown below has an arm OA of length 30 mm rotating anticlockwise
about 0 and a connecting rod AB of length 60 mm. B moves along the horizontal line
1
OB. What is the length OB when OA has rotated by of a complete revolution from the
8
horizontal?
A

O B

62 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry
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Answers
1.
a 6 c
(a) Using the Sine rule ◦
= ◦
= . From the two left-hand equations
◦
sin 130 sin 20 sin C
sin 130
a=6 ' 13.44.
sin 20◦
sin 30◦
Then, since C = 30◦ , the right hand pair of equations give c = 6 ' 8.77.
sin 20◦
a 4 3 3
(b) Again using the Sine rule = ◦
= so sin C = sin 80◦ = 0.7386
sin A sin 80 sin C 4
there are two possible angles satisfying sin C = 0.7386 or C = sin−1 (0.7386).

These are 47.61◦ and 180◦ − 47.614◦ = 132.39◦ . However the obtuse angle value is
impossible here because the angle B is 80◦ and the sum of the angles would then exceed
180◦ Hence c = 47.01◦ so A = 180◦ − (80◦ + 47.61◦ ) = 52.39◦ .
a 4 sin 52.39◦
Then, ◦
= so a=4 ' 3.22
sin 52.39 sin 80◦ sin 80◦
(c) In this case since two sides and the included angle are given we must use the Cosine rule.
The appropriate form is

b2 = c2 + a2 − 2ca cos B = 102 + 122 − (2)(10)(12) cos 26◦ = 28.2894

√
so b = 28.2894 = 5.32

Continuing we use the Cosine rule again to determine say angle C where

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C that is 102 = 122 + (5.32)2 − 2(1.2)(5.32) cos C

from which cos C = 0.5663 and C = 55.51◦ (There is no other possibility for C between
0◦ and 180◦ . Recall that the cosine of an angle between 90◦ and 180◦ is negative.)
Finally, A = 180 − (26◦ + 55.51◦ ) = 98.49◦ .
(d) By the Sine rule
a 5 6 sin 50◦
= = . .. sin C = 6 = 0.9193
sin A sin 50◦ sin C 5
Then C = sin−1 (0.9193) = 66.82◦ (calculator) or 180◦ − 66.82◦ = 113.18◦ . In this case
both values of C say C1 = 66.82◦ and C2 = 113.18◦ are possible and there are two
possible triangles satisfying the given data. Continued use of the Sine rule produces
(i) with C1 = 66.82 (acute angle triangle) A = A1 = 180 − (66.82◦ + 50◦ ) = 63.18◦
a = a1 = 5.83
(ii) with C2 = 113.18◦ A = A2 = 16.82◦ a = a2 = 1.89

HELM (2008): 63
Section 4.4: Applications of Trigonometry to Triangles
Answers continued

2. We use the Cosine rule firstly to find the angle opposite the longest side. This will tell us
whether the triangle contains an obtuse angle. Hence we solve for c using

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C 81 = 49 + 36 − 84 cos C

from which 84 cos C = 4 cos C = 4/84 giving C = 87.27◦ .

So there is no obtuse angle in this triangle and we can use the Sine rule knowing that there
is only one possible triangle fitting the data. (We could continue to use the Cosine rule if we
wished of course.) Choosing to find the angle B we have
6 9
=
sin B sin 87.27◦
from which sin B = 0.6659 giving B = 41.75◦ . (The obtuse case for B is not possible, as
explained above.) Finally A = 180◦ − (41.75◦ + 87.27◦ ) = 50.98◦ .

A N
47◦
48
c O
40
20◦

3. B S

At midday (4 hours travelling) ships A and B are respectively 48 and 40 nautical miles from
the port O. In triangle AOB we have

AOB = 180◦ − (47◦ + 20◦ ) = 113◦ .

We must use the Cosine rule to obtain the required distance apart of the ships. Denoting the
distance AB by c, as usual,

c2 = 482 + 402 − 2(48)(40) cos 113◦ from which c2 = 5404.41 and c = 73.5 nautical miles.
30 60 30
4. By the Sine rule = . .. sin B = sin 45◦ = 0.353 so B = 20.704◦ .
sin B sin 45 60
A
30mm 60mm (Position after 1
revolution)
8

45◦
O B

The obtuse value of sin−1 (0.353) is impossible. Hence,

A = 180◦ − (45◦ + 20.704◦ ) = 114.296◦ .

30 OB
Using the sine rule again = from which OB = 77.5 mm.
0.353 sin 114.296

64 HELM (2008):
Workbook 4: Trigonometry