EXTENSION MATERIAL

3 Cosine and sine rule proofs

Try this worksheet after you have completed Exercise 3O.

If a triangle is not a right-angled triangle there are two possibilities

First case: all the angles of the triangle are acute.

Second case: there is one obtuse angle in the triangle.

Cosine rule proof

First case
All the angles of this triangle are acute.

C
The height of the triangle, h,
is drawn inside the triangle.
b a
h

A x O c–x B
c

You have to show that a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A

1 In triangle AOC use Pythagoras to complete the statement
h2 + x2 = ...........
2 In triangle AOC show that x = b cos A
3 In triangle BOC
a Use Pythagoras to write an expression involving a, c − x and h.
b Show that this expression can be written as a2 = h2 + x2 − 2xc + c2
c Using the results from 1, 2 and 3 show that a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A

Second case
One of the angles of this triangle is obtuse.
C
The height of the triangle, h,
is drawn outside the triangle.
b
a h

A c B x–c O
x

You have to show that a2 = b2 + c 2 − 2bc cos A

1 In triangle AOC use Pythagoras to complete the statement
h2 + x 2 = ...........
2 In triangle AOC show that x = b cos A

© Oxford University Press 2012: this may be reproduced for class use solely for the purchaser’s institute Extension worksheet 1
 EXTENSION MATERIAL

3 In triangle BOC
a Use Pythagoras to write an expression involving a, x − c and h.
b Show that this expression can be written as a 2 = h2 + x 2 − 2xc + c 2
c Using the results from 1, 2 and 3 show that a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc cos A

Sine rule proof

First case
All the angles of this triangle are acute.
C
The height, h, corresponding
to the side AB is drawn
b a
h inside the triangle.

A x O c–x B
c

a b c
You have to show that sin A sin B sin C

1 In triangle AOC, show that h = b sin A

The height, h, corresponding
2 In triangle BOC, show that h = a sin B
to the side AB is drawn
a b
3 By equating the expressions in 1 and 2 show that inside the triangle.
sin A sin B
4 Now in triangle ABC draw the perpendicular height, h1, corresponding to side
BC and call P the point where this height meets BC.
5 In triangle APC, show that h1 = b sin C
6 In triangle APB, show that h1 = c sin B
b c
7 By equating the expressions in 5 and 6 show that
sin B sin C
8 Using the results from 3 and 7 deduce the sine rule.

Second case
One of the angles of this triangle obtuse.
Prior learning
C You should know that for any
angle x, sin x = sin(180° − x)
b
a h
180° – B The height, h, corresponding
to the side AB is drawn
A c B x–c O
outside the triangle.
x

a b c The height, h, corresponding

You have to show that sin A sin B sin C
to the side AB is drawn
1 In triangle AOC, show that h = b sin A outside the triangle.
2 In triangle BOC, show that h = a sin B
a b
3 By equating the expressions in 1 and 2 show that sin A sin B
4 Now, in triangle ABC, draw the perpendicular height corresponding to side AC, h1,
and call P the point where this height meets AC.
5 In triangle ABP, show that h1 = c sin A
6 In triangle CBP, show that h1 = a sin C
a c
7 By equating the expressions in 5 and 6 show that
sin A sin C
8 Using the results from 3 and 7 deduce the sine rule.

© Oxford University Press 2012: this may be reproduced for class use solely for the purchaser’s institute Extension worksheet 2
 EXTENSION MATERIAL

Chapter 3 extension worked solutions

Cosine rule
First case
1 h2 + x 2 = b2
adj
2 cos A = =x
hyp b
x = b cos A making x the subject
3 a a2 = h2 + (c − x)2
b a2 = h2 + (c − x)2
a2 = h2 + c 2 − 2xc + x 2 expanding the brackets
c a2 = h2 + c 2 − 2xc + x 2
a2 = h2 + x 2 + c 2 − 2xc changing the order of the terms
a2 = b2 + c 2 − 2bc cos A using 1 and 2

Cosine rule
Second case
1 h2 + x 2 = b2
adj
2 cos A = =x
hyp b
x = b cos A making x the subject
3 a a2 = h2 + (x − c)2
b a2 = h2 + (x − c)2
a2 = h2 + x 2 − 2xc + c 2 expanding the brackets
c a2 = h2 + c 2 − 2xc + x 2
a2 = h2 + x 2 + c 2 − 2xc changing the order of the terms
a2 = b2 + c 2 − 2bc cos A using 1 and 2

Sine rule
First case
opp h
1 sin A = =
hyp b
h = sin A
opp h
2 sin B = =
hyp a
h = a sin B
3 b sin A = a sin B from 1 and 2
a b
sin A sin B
rearranging

C
4

b P
h1 a

A c B

h1
5 sin C =
b
h1 = b sin C
h
6 sin B = 1
c
h1 = c sin B
7 b sin C = c sin B from 5 and 6
b c
rearranging
sin B sin C

© Oxford University Press 2012: this may be reproduced for class use solely for the purchaser’s institute Extension worksheet 3
 EXTENSION MATERIAL

8 From 3 and 7
a b b c
= and =
sin A sin B sin B sin C

Therefore
a b c
sin A sin B sin C

Sine rule
Second case
1 sin A = h
b
h = b sin A rearranging
h
2 sin(180° − B) = a
h
sin B = a since sin(180° − B) = sin B
h = a sin B rearranging
3 a sin B = b sin A from 1 and 2
a b
sin A sin B

C
4
b
P
a
h1

A c B

5 sin A = opp = h1
hyp c
h1 = c sin A rearranging

opp h1
6 sinC = =
hyp a
h1 = a sin C rearranging

7 a sin C = c sin A from 5 and 6

a c
sin A sin C
rearranging

a b a c
8 and from 3 and 7
sin A sin B sin A sin C

Therefore
a b c
sin A sin B sin C

© Oxford University Press 2012: this may be reproduced for class use solely for the purchaser’s institute Extension worksheet 4