SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY

What is spherical trigonometry?

- The branch of spherical geometry that

deals with the relationships between
trigonometric functions of the sides and
angles of spherical polygons (specially
spherical triangle) defined by a number of
intersecting great circles on the sphere.
SPHERE
A sphere is a closed surface every point
of which is equidistant from a fixed point
called the center. An example of sphere
in real life the Earth. In our lesson, the
Earth will be considered to be a perfect
sphere with a radius of 6,400 kilometers
or 3,440 nautical miles.
Important Terms to Remember.
1. Diameter of the Sphere(D) – the line segment
which passes through the center and whose
endpoints are on the surface of the sphere.
2. Radius of the Sphere(R) – the line segment
which come from the center of the sphere to any point
on the surface of the sphere.
3. Great Circle – the largest circle that can be drawn
on the surface of the sphere where the center of
the great circle is also the center of the sphere.
Note:
(a) A great circle divides the sphere into two identical parts,
each called hemisphere.
(b) The radius of a great circle is equal to that of the sphere.
(c) Any number of great circles could pass through a given
point on the surface of the sphere. However, all these great
circles would also pass through a point diametrically
opposite to the given point.
(d) Only one great circle can pass through any two given
points on the surface of a sphere. However if the two points
are diametrically opposite to each other, any number of
great circles can pass through the two points.
4. Small Circle – the section of the sphere which do
not pass through the center of the sphere.
5. Axis of the Sphere – the diameter of the sphere
which is perpendicular to the plane of great circle and
small circle.
6. Poles – the endpoints of the diameter or axis of
the sphere.

7. Polar distance – the angular distance of any point

on a surface of the sphere from one of its poles
 Pole
Polar distance

small circle

Diameter or Axis

Great circle

Radius

Pole
Minor Arc and Major Arc
Two points lying on a circle actually define two arcs.
The shortest is called minor arc and the longer one is
called major arc. The minor arc is less than 1800
while the major arc is more than 1800. The formula in
finding the length of an arc is:
s = R
1800
Where:
s – length of the arc
R – radius
 - central angle or the angle between the two
radii
Sample Problems:
1. What is the length of the minor arc subtended by a central
angle of 600 in a sphere of radius 15 meters?
2. Find the radius of a sphere if a minor arc 30 cm in length is
subtended by a central angle of 950?
3. The plane of a small circle on a sphere of radius 10 cm is 8
cm from the center of the sphere. Find the radius of the
small circle and its polar distance.

r
8

10
2. Find the radius of a sphere if a minor arc 30 cm in length is subtended by a
central angle of 950?
3. The plane of a small circle on a sphere of radius 10 cm is 8 cm from the center
of the sphere. Find the radius of the small circle and its polar distance.

r
8

10
 Spherical Triangle
It is that part of the surface of the sphere bounded by
the arcs of three great circles.
From the diagrams, the sides of a spherical triangle is
the angle subtends in the center of the sphere and
may be measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds
or in radians. In the figure ABC is a spherical triangle
formed by the minor arcs of the three great circles.
The length a of the side BC is equal to the angle
subtended at the center of the sphere, that is BOC.
Similarly, b and c are equal to the angles AOC and
AOB. The part of the surface of a sphere bounded by
the area of two great semi-circle is called the lune.
 Propositions of a Spherical Triangle
1. If two sides of a spherical triangle are equal, the angles
opposite them are also equal; that is:
If a = b, then A = B
2. If two angles of a spherical triangle are equal, the sides
opposite them are also equal; that is:
If A = B, then a = b
3. If two sides of a spherical triangle are unequal, the angles
opposite them are also unequal and the greater angle lies
opposite the greater side; that is:
If a > b, then A > B
4. If two angles of a spherical triangle are unequal, the sides
opposite them are also unequal and the greater side lies
opposite the greater angle; that is:
If A > B, then a > b
5. The sum of any two sides of a spherical triangle is greater
than the third side, and their difference is less than the third
side; that is:
a+b>c (a – b) < c
a+c>b (a – c) < b
b+c>a (b – c) < a
6. The sum of the three sides of a spherical triangle is less
than 3600; that is;
a + b + c < 3600
7. The sum of the three angles of a spherical triangle is greater
than 1800 but less than 5400; that is;
1800 < A + B + C < 5400
8. The sum of any two angles of a spherical triangle is less
than 1800 plus the third angle; that is:
A + B < 180 + C
A + C < 180 + B
B + C < 180 + A
Spherical Excess and Area of Spherical Triangle
Spherical Excess is the amount by which the sum of the
angles of a spherical triangle exceeds 1800. If E denotes
spherical excess, then

• When three angles are known

E = A + B + C – 180

• When three sides are known (L’Huiller’s Formula)

tan ¼ E = tan(1/2s)tan(x)tan(y)tan(z)
Where:
s = ½(a + b + c)
x = ½(s – a)
y = ½(s – b)
z = ½(s – c)
 The area (A) of the surface of the sphere is given by
Girard’s theorem which states that the surface area of any
spherical triangle is:

A = R2E area of sphere

Where R is the radius of the sphere and E is the spherical

excess. Therefore, to find the area of a spherical triangle on
the surface of the sphere is;

A = R2E area of spherical triangle

180
Sample Problems
1. Find the area of a spherical triangle on the surface of the
sphere of radius 10 meters given the corresponding angles
as follows;
A = 1200, B = 1000, C = 900
E = 120 + 100 + 90 -180
E = 310 – 180
E = 130

A = R2E = )(102)(130)
180 180
A = 226.89 m2
2. What is the area bounded by the sides of a spherical
triangle of radius 10 m having the following parts;
a = 560, b = 600, c = 480
2. What is the area bounded by the sides of a spherical
triangle of radius 10 m having the following parts;
a = 560, b = 600, c = 480

tan ¼ E = tan(1/2s)tan(x)tan(y)tan(z)
Where:
s = ½(a + b + c)
s = 82
x = ½(s – a)
x = 13
y = ½(s – b)
y = 11
z = ½(s – c)
z = 17
tan ¼ E = (tan(82÷2)(tan13)(tan11)(tan17))

tan ¼ E = ((tan(41)(tan13tan11tan17))
E = 4x(shift tan((tan(41)xtan(13)xtan(11)xtan(17))))

¼ E = inv tan ((tan(41)xtan(13)xtan(11)xtan(17)))

¼ E = 6.23
E = 6.23
4
E = 4(6.23)
E = 24.92 = 24.93

TO COMPUTE FOR THE AREA OF SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

A = R2E
180
A = (102)(24.92)
180
A = 43.49 m2
E = (inv tan ((tan(41)xtan(13)xtan(11)xtan(17)))x4)
RIGHT SPHERICAL
TRIANGLE
RIGHT SPHERICAL TRIANGLE
■ Is a spherical triangle with one of its angle
equal to 900
B

c a

A C
b
 co-B
B

c a co-c a

A C co-A
b b

a
co-B
Napier’s Circular Parts
co-c b

co-A
NAPIER’S RULES:

■ NR1: The sine of any middle part is equal to product of the tangents of
its adjacent parts.

■ NR2: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the cosines
of its opposite parts.
 co-B a

co-c b

co-A
 RIGHT SPHERICAL TRIANGLE
- Is a spherical triangle with one of its angle equal to 900

B
C0- B

c
a co-c a

C =90
A
b C0-A
b

C0- B
a

co-c

b
C0-A

Napier’s Circle or Napier’s Circular

Parts
DEVELOPING FORMULAS FOR SOLUTIONS OF RIGHT TRIANGLE

NAPIER’S RULES:

NR1: The sineof any middle part is equal to product of the tangents of
itsadjacent parts.

Sinco-A = cosA
Cosco-A = sinA
Tanco-A = cotA
If a is the middle part by NR1
Sina = tanbtanco-B
Sina = tanbcotB

If b is the middle part by NR1

Sinb = tanatanco-A
Sinb = tanacotA

If co-A is the middle part by NR1

Sinco-A = tanbtanco-c
cosA = tanbcotc

If co-c is the middle part by NR1

Sinco-c = tanco-Atanco-B
Cosc = cotAcotB

If co-B is the middle part by NR1

Sinco-B = tanatanco-c
cosB = tanacotc
 Sinco-A = cosA
Cosco-A = sinA
Tanco-A = cotA

NR2: The sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the cosines
of its opposite parts.

If ais the middle part by NR2

Sina = cosco-ccosco-A co-B
Sina = sincsinA a
If b is the middle part by NR2
Sinb = cosco-ccosco-B co-c
Sinb = sincsinB b

If co-A is the middle part by NR2

Sinco-A = cosco-Bcosa
co-A
cosA = sinBcosa

If co-c is the middle part by NR2

Sinco-c = cosacosb
Cosc = cosacosb

If co-B is the middle part by NR2

Sinco-B = cosco-Acosb
cosB = sinAcosb
LAWS OF QUADRANT
LQ1: In a right spherical triangle, any side and its opposite angle
must lie in the same quadrants. That is:
If a<90, then A<90 or If b<90, then B<90 or
If a>90, then A>90 or If b>90, then B>90

LQ2: In a right spherical triangle, if any of the sides a, b, and c

are in the same quadrant, the third side lies in the first quadrant.
That is:
If a<90 and b<90, then c<90 or
If b<90 and c<90, then a<90 or
If a<90 and c<90, then b<90

If a>90 and b>90, then c<90 or

If b>90 and c>90, then a<90 or
If a>90 and c>90, then b<90

LQ3: In a right spherical triangle, if any two of the sides a, b, and

c are in different quadrants, the third side must lie in the second
quadrant. That is:
If a<90 and b>90, then c>90
If a>90 and b<90, then c>90

If b<90 and c>90, then a>90

If b>90 and c<90, then a>90

If a<90 and c>90, then b>90

If a>90 and c<90, then b>90
Examples of Solutions of Quadrantal Triangle
1) Solve for the parts of quadrantal triangle ABC (c = 900) given
that A= 380 20’, B= 510 30’

Req’d: C = ?, a = ?, b = ?
To solve for angle C with co-C as MP by NR2
Sinco-C = cosAcosB
CosC = cos380 20’cos510 30’
C = cos-1(cos380 20’cos510 30’)
C = 600 46’ 13.52”
C = 600 46’

To solve for side a with co-a as MP by NR1

Sinco-a = tanBtanco-C
Cosa = tanBcotC
Cosa = tan510 30’cot600 46’
a = cos-1(tan510 30’cot600 46’)
a = 450 17’ 9.12”
a = 450 17’

To solve for side b with co-b as MP by NR2 A= 380 20’,

Sinco-b = cosBcosco-a B= 510 30’
Cosb = cosBsina C = 600 46’
Cosb = cos510 30’sin450 17’ a = 450 17’
b = cos-1(cos510 30’sin450 17’) b = 630 45’
b = 630 44’ 44.59”
b = 630 45’
 2) Solve for the parts of quadrantal triangle DEF (f = 900) given
that d= 1050 42’, E= 1180 30’

Req’d: e = ?, D = ?, F = ?

To solve for side e with co-e as MP by NR2

Sinco-e = cosco-dcosE
Cose = sindcosE
Cose = sin1050 42’cos1180 30’
e = cos-1(sin1050 42’cos1180 30’)
e = 1170 20’ 44.20”
e = 1170 21’

To solve for angle D with D as MP by NR1

sinD = tanEtanco-e
sinD = tanEcote
sinD = tan1180 30’cot1170 21’
D = sin-1(tan1180 30’cot1170 21’)
D = 720 17’ 48.94”
D = 720 18’
But since side d is greater than 900, by LQ1 angle D should also
be greater than 900, so
D = 1800 – 720 18’
D = 1070 42’
To solve for angle F with co-F as MP by NR2
Sinco-F = cosDcosE
cosF = cosDcosE
cosF = cos1070 42’cos1180 30’
F = cos-1(cos1070 42’cos1180 30’)
F = 810 39’ 30.78”
F = 810 40’

d= 1050 42’,
E= 1180 30’
e = 1170 21’
D = 1070 42’
F = 810 40’
Oblique Spherical Triangle
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Apply the following formula in solving oblique spherical triangle.
a. Law of cosine,
b. Law of sine
c. Delambre's Formula

2. Identify and classify the six cases of oblique spherical triangles.

Oblique Spherical Triangle

Spherical triangles are said to be oblique if none of its included angle is 90° or
two or three of its included angles are 90°. Spherical triangle with only one included
angle equal to 90° is a right triangle.

Solution of Oblique Triangle.

In any triangle the shortest side is always opposite the smallest interior angle; the
longest side is always opposite the largest interior angle. Solution of oblique triangle is to
find the length of all the sides and the measure of all the included angles given at least
three parts. Oblique triangles can be solved using the following formula given without
proof.

The Law of Cosine for Sides

cosa = cosbcosc + sinbsinccosA
cosb = cosacosc + sinasinccosB
cosc = cosacosb + sinasinbcosC

The Law of Cosine for Angles

cosA = sinBsinCcosa – cosBcosC
cosB = sinAsinCcosb – cosAcosC
cosC = cosacosb + sinasinbcosC

The Law of Sine

sina = sinb = sinc
sinA sinB sinC
Delambre's Analogies.
Delambre's analogies also called “Gauss's formulas” is usually used for checking
the solutions of spherical triangles since it includes all the six parts of the triangle, given
as follows:(Smart 1960, p. 22; Zwillinger 1995, p. 470)

sin [ ½(a – b)] = sin [½(A – B)

sin½c sin ½C

sin [ ½(a + b)] = cos [½(A – B)

sin½c sin ½C

cos [ ½(a – b)] = sin [½(A – B)

cos(½c) cos (½C)

cos [ ½(a + b)] = sin [½(A + B)

cos(½c) cos (½C)

Six Cases of Solution of Oblique Spherical Triangle.

Problems involving oblique triangles are classified into six cases, namely:

Case I - Three Sides Given (a, b, c)

Case || - Three Angles Given (A, B, C)
Case III - Two Sides and their Included Angle Given (a, b, C)
Case IV - Two Angles and their Included Angle Given (A, B, C)
Case V - Two Sides & Angle Opposite one of them Given (a, b,
Case VI - Two angles & Side Opposite one of them Given (A, B, a)
SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

CASE I: Given Three Sides

EXAMPLE: Solve the oblique spherical triangle ABC given the following parts.
a = 680 23’ b = 1200 47’ c = 1500 16’

Required: A = ?
B= ?
C=?

 To solve for A, use Law of Cosine for Sides and derive the formula for A

From the formula

cosa = cosbcosc + sinbsinccosA
TRANSPOSE cosbcosc
cosa - cosbcosc = sinbsinccosA
DIVIDE both sides by sinbsinc
cosa - cosbcosc = sinbsinccosA
sinbsinc sinbsinc

cosa - cosbcosc = cosA

sinbsinc

cosA = cosa - cosbcosc

sinbsinc

A = cos-1 cosa - cosbcosc

sinbsinc

A = cos-1 cos680 23’ – cos1200 47’cos1500 16’

sin1200 47’sin1500 16’

A = 1000 17’
 ON CALCULATOR

A= cos-1 cos(680 23’) – (cos(1200 47’)cos(1500 16’))

sin(1200 47’)sin(1500 16’)

 To solve for B, use Law of Cosine for Sides and derive the formula for B

From the formula

cosb = cosacosc + sinasinccosB

TRANSPOSE cosacosc
cosb - cosacosc = sinasinccosB
DIVIDE both sides by sinasinc
cosb - cosacosc = sinasinccosB
sinasinc sinasinc

cosb - cosacosc = cosB

sinasinc

cosB = cosb - cosacosc

sinasinc

B = cos-1 cosb - cosacosc

sinasinc

B = cos-1 cos1200 47’ – cos680 23’cos1500 16’

sin680 23’sin1500 16’

B = 1140 36’
  To solve for C, use Law of Cosine for Sides and derive the formula for C

From the formula

cosc = cosacosb + sinasinbcosC

C = cos-1 cosc – cosacosb
sinasinb

C = cos-1 cos1500 16’ – cos680 23’cos1200 47’

sin680 23’sin1200 47’

C= 1480 20’

CASE II: Given Three Angles

EXAMPLE: Solve the oblique spherical triangle given the following parts:

A = 1210 13’ B = 800 41’ C = 880 51’

 To solve for a, use Law of Cosine for Angles and derive the formula for a

From the formula

cosA = sinBsinCcosa – cosBcosC

TRANSPOSE cosBcosC

cosA + cosBcosC = sinBsinCcosa

DIVIDE both sides by sinBsinC

cosA + cosBcosC = sinBsinCcosa

sinBsinC sinBsinC

cosA + cosBcosC = cosa

sinBsinC
 cosa = cosA + cosBcosC
sinBsinC

a = cos-1 cosA + cosBcosC

sinBsinC

a = cos-1 cos1210 13’ + cos800 41’cos880 51’

sin800 41’sin880 51’

a = 1210 28’

 To solve for b, use Law of Cosine for Angles and derive the formula for b

From the formula

cosB = sinAsinCcosb – cosAcosC

cosb = cosB + cosAcosC
sinAsinC
-1
b = cos cosB + cosAcosC
sinAsinC

b = cos-1 cos800 41’ + cos1210 13’cos880 51’

sin1210 13’sin880 51’

b = 790 48’

 To solve for c, use Law of Cosine for Angles and derive the formula for c

From the formula

cosC = sinAsinBcosc – cosAcosB
c = cos-1 cosC + cosAcosB
sinAsinB
 c = cos-1 cos880 51’ + cos1210 13’cos800 41’
sin1210 13’sin800 41’

c = 940 20’

CASE III: Given Two Sides and the Included Angle

EXAMPLE: Solve the oblique spherical triangle given the following parts:

b = 1130 17’ c = 950 3’ A = 720 52’

 To solve for a, use Law of Cosine for Sides

cosa = cosbcosc + sinbsinccosA
cosa = cosbcosc + sinbsinccosA
a = cos-1(cosbcosc + sinbsinccosA)
a = cos-1(cos1130 17’cos950 3’ + sin1130 17’sin950 3’cos720 52’)

a = 720 17’
ON CALCULATOR
cos-1((cos(1130 17’)cos(950 3’) + (sin(1130 17)’sin(950 3’)cos(720 52’)))
  To solve for B, you can select a formula which contain the given
parts(b, c, A) and the solved value which is side a, then derive formula if
needed

From the formula

cosb = cosacosc + sinasinccosB

cosB = cosb - cosacosc
sinasinc

B = cos-1 cosb - cosacosc

sinasinc

B = 1120 51’

 To solve for C, you can select a formula which contain the given
parts(b, c, A) and the solved value which is side a and angle B, then derive
formula if needed

From the formula

cosc = cosacosb + sinasinbcosC

C = cos-1 cosc – cosacosb
sinasinb

C = 870 53’