The Ambiguous Case of the Law of Sines

Using the Applet

The slides
To the right is a screenshot of the slides you will be adjusting in the applet.
A corresponds with angle A in the triangle
a corresponds with side length a in the triangle
b corresponds with side length b in the triangle
As you move the slides, the given angle or side will change size
Spend some time playing with the slides, getting use to what is changing.
Case 1 One Solution
Set the slides so that
A = 50 and a is larger than b try is a couple different times
No matter how you adjust the two slides, how many values of B do you get?

Case 2 No Solution
Set A and b to any two values
Solve for h using basic trigonometry, such that

sin A=

Now, set a to a value less than your solution above.

What do you notice?

Why does this happen?

h
b

Case 3 Two Solutions (the Ambiguous Case)

Keep the A and b where they were.
Set a such that b< a<h
How many triangles are formed?

What kind of triangle is

A B 1 B2 ?

What is the measure of

What kind of triangle is

B1

A B 2 C ?

What is the measure of

B2

Based on this, you have found two values for B when using the Law of Sines.
Synthesize your results