Scribd
Upload
112 views11 pages

The Sine Rule: C. Mcminn

The Sine Rule can be used to solve for any side or angle in any triangle. It states that the ratio of any side to its opposite sine is equal to the ratio of any other side to its opposite sine. To use the Sine Rule: 1) Draw and label the triangle with sides and angles, 2) Identify the part of the triangle (side or angle) that is being solved for, 3) Set up the equation relating the known parts to the unknown part using sines and sides, 4) Solve the equation to find the value of the unknown part.

Uploaded by

Harsh Thakur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
112 views11 pages

The Sine Rule: C. Mcminn

The Sine Rule can be used to solve for any side or angle in any triangle. It states that the ratio of any side to its opposite sine is equal to the ratio of any other side to its opposite sine. To use the Sine Rule: 1) Draw and label the triangle with sides and angles, 2) Identify the part of the triangle (side or angle) that is being solved for, 3) Set up the equation relating the known parts to the unknown part using sines and sides, 4) Solve the equation to find the value of the unknown part.

Uploaded by

Harsh Thakur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

The Sine Rule

C. McMinn
SOH/CAH/TOA can only be used for right-angled triangles.

The Sine Rule can be used for any triangle:

The sides are labelled to match b a


their opposite angles

A B
c

a b c
The Sine Rule: = =
sinA sinB sinC
A
Example 1: Find the length of BC
76º
c
b 7cm

63º
C x B
a
a c
=
sinA sinC

Draw xarrows from the 7 sides to the


sin76º × Draw arrows= from the sides × tosin76º
the
opposite
sin76º angles
opposite anglesto help
helpdecide
tosin63º decide
which
whichparts
partsofofthe
thesine
sinerule
ruleto
touse.
use.
7
x = × sin76º
sin63º

x = 7.6 cm
P
Example 2: Find the length of PR
82º
x
r q

43º 55º
Q 15cm R
p
p q
=
sinP sinQ

Draw 15 x
Drawarrows
arrowsfrom
fromthe
thesides
sidestotothe
the
sin43º × opposite
opposite =
angles to help decide × sin43º
sin82º angles tosin43º
help decide
which
whichparts
partsof
ofthe
thesine
sinerule
ruleto
touse.
use.
15
sin43º × = x
sin82º

x = 10.33 cm
1. B 2. 3. G
F
53º
m 41º
13 c x
A 62º x
5.5 8.0 35.3
x
28º 130º
5c D E
m
63º 76º
C H 26 mm I
4. 10.7 5. c m
x 5. 2 61º
P R 6.
66º 37º
57º
m 35º
10 x
5.2
77º 62º

12 c
Q
6 km

m
85º
7.

x
6.6
65º 86º
x
6.9
Remember:

• Draw a diagram
• Label the sides
• Set out your working exactly as you have been
shown
• Check your answers regularly and ask for help if you
need it
Finding an Angle
The Sine Rule can also be used to find an
angle, but it is easier to use if the rule is
written upside-down!

Alternative form sinA sinB sinC


= =
of the Sine Rule: a b c
C
Example 1: Find the size of angle ABC

6cm a
4cm
b

72º xº
A B
c
sinA sinB
=
a b
sin72º sin xº
4× Draw
Drawarrows
arrows
= from
fromthe
thesides
× 4 totothe
sides the
6
opposite 4
oppositeangles
anglesto tohelp
helpdecide
decide
which
which parts of the sine ruleto
sin72º parts of the sine rule touse.
use.
4× = sin xº
6
sin xº = 0.634

x = sin-1 0.634 = 39.3º


P
Example 2: Find the size of angle PRQ
85º
7c
q m
r

xº
R p 8.2cm Q
sinP sinR
=
p r
sin85º sin xº
7× = ×7
8.2 7
sin85º
7× = sin xº
8.2
sin xº = 0.850

x = sin-1 0.850 = 58.3º


1. 7.6 cm
2. 3.
6.5
47º 82º 105º cm
5 cm

cm
2
8.
xº
66.6°
xº
37.6° xº
45.5° m
6 cm 8.8 c
5. 6 km
4. 5.5 cm
xº
31.0° 27º 3.5 km

xº
51.1°
cm
33º 5.2

6. 8m 7. 74º
xº
57.7°
70º m
m
9.5 m

9
xº
92.1°
52.3º (←Be careful!→)
22.9º
7 mm
Remember:

• Draw a diagram
• Label the sides
• Set out your working exactly as you have been
shown
• Check your answers regularly and ask for help if you
need it

You might also like