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I. Model Problems.
II. Choosing the Correct Formula
III. Mixed Problems (using the formulas twice)
III. Challenge questions
IV. Answer Key
Web Resources
Video explanation of Law of Cosines with additional practice problems
Law of Cosines: www.mathwarehouse.com/lawofcosines
Law of Sines: www.mathwarehouse.com/law-of-sines
Ambiguous Case of Law of Sines : www.mathwarehouse.com/ambiguous-case

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Law of Sines and Law of Cosines

Law of Sines: or

Law of Cosines:

Law of Cosines is the best choice if:

Case1: The length of all three sides of a triangle are know and you are trying to find an
angle:

7 x 12

5
Case 2: Two sides and an enclosed angle are know and you are trying to find the side
opposite the angle:

13 87 24

x
Law of Sines is the best choice if:
Case 3: Two sides and an angle opposite one of those sides is know and you are trying to
find the other angle(s):

49

115

16
Case 4: Two angles and one side are known and your are trying to find the missing side(s):

22

x
15
48

In general Law of Sines is easier to use so always check to see if you can use it first.
II. Determine whether the Law of Cosines or the Law of Sines is the best choice.

1. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of 2. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of
Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for
the given figure. Substitute the values into the given figure. Substitute the values into
the appropriate formula (do not solve). the appropriate formula (do not solve).

15
87
112 12
16

x x
25

3. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of 4. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of
Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for
the given figure. Substitute the values into the given figure. Substitute the values into
the appropriate formula (do not solve). the appropriate formula (do not solve).
37
100 56
x
30 42
55 x

5. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of 6. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of
Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for
the given figure. Substitute the values into the given figure. Substitute the values into
the appropriate formula (do not solve). the appropriate formula (do not solve).

40 31
135
20
x 22
108 x
7. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of 8. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of
Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for
the given figure. Substitute the values into the given figure. Substitute the values into
the appropriate formula (do not solve). the appropriate formula (do not solve).

For find the length of b to the nearest

x 40 hundredth, given , and
52
.
50
32
9. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of 10. State whether the Law of Sines or Law of
Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for Cosines is the best choice to solve for x for
the given figure. Substitute the values into the given figure. Substitute the values into
the appropriate formula (do not solve). the appropriate formula (do not solve).

For , , For find the length of to the

, and . Find h to nearest whole degree, given ,
the nearest whole number. and .

III. Use the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines to find missing dimensions.

11. Find the missing dimensions of the triangle 12. Find the to the nearest whole degree.
below. Round your answers to the nearest
whole number. 19 C
B
E 120
8 15
138 F

20
19
D A

13. Find the missing dimensions of the triangle 14. Find the f to the nearest whole number.
below. Round your answers to the nearest
whole number.
E
B
56 f
47 124 62

36
A C D F
71
15. Find the x to the nearest whole number. 16. Find the to the nearest whole degree.

Y
x A C
12 148
16
42 120
X Z
25 B

IV. Challenge Problems

17. Find the to the nearest whole degree.

35
25

A 118
B
D
12

18. Find the to the nearest whole degree.

E 20
30 120
G
35

D F

19. Find the to the nearest whole degree.

 B 5

47 C

45 5
A
6
D

20. Find the angle measurements of all angles in the triangle below to the nearest whole degree.

17
14

A C
19
III. Answer Key

1. Law of Sines
2. Law of Cosines
3. Law of Cosines
4. Law of Sines

5. Law of Sines
6. Law of Cosines
7. Law of Sines
8. Law of Cosines
9. Law of Sines
10. Law of Cosines
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. No solution- no figure with these dimensions can be constructed
21.