I.

Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. illustrate the laws of cosines
2. solve problems involving oblique triangles using law of cosines

II. Subject Matter: Triangle Trigonometry: Oblique Triangles

* The Law of Cosines and Its Applications
Learning Competency Code: M9GE-IVf-g-1
References: Mathematics Grade 9 (pp. 497-500)
e-Math 9 (pp. 421-428)

III. Materials: Chalk, eraser, Math 9 LM, DLP

IV. Procedure:

A. Review

Let the students answer the first two activities orally by describing the triangle,
determining the number of solution/s and the 3 cases under law of sines.

Say What 1!
Describe each triangle and determine if it has no solution, one solution or two solutions.

1. A = 30°, a = 21, b = 16
2. A = 128°, a = 26, b = 10

Say What 2!
What are the cases under law of sines?

B. Motivation
Form 5 groups, and let them identify the difference between SAS and SSS based on the
given. The first group to finish will receive a special prize.

C. Lesson Proper
Introduce the Law of Cosines to the students and give one example for SAS case and SSS
case.

In symbols,                
The Law of Cosines can be used in the following situations:
 two sides and the included angle are known (SAS Case); and the
 three sides are known (SSS Case)
In any ∆ ABC , a2=b 2+ c 2−2 bc ( cosA )
b 2=a2 +c 2−2 ac ( cosB )
c 2=a2+ b2−2 ab ( cosC )

Illustrative Example 1:
Let us use ∆ ABC to illustrate the Law of Cosines.
Given: two sides and the included angle
∠ C=80 ° ,a = 8, b = 12

Strategy in Solving the SAS Case

1. Find the side opposite the given angle. Use the law of cosines.
2. Find the measure of the second angle (the angle opposite the shorter of the two given
sides – this angle will always be acute. Use the law of sines or law of cosines).
 3. Find the measure of the third angle. Subtract the sum of the measures of the given angle
and the angle formed in Step 2 from 180°.
Solutions:
To find c:
c 2=a2+ b2−2 ab ( cosC )
c 2=(8)2+(12)2−2(8)(12) ( cos 80° )
c 2=64 +144−192(0.17)
c 2=208−32.64
c 2=175.36
c=13.24
To find ∠A :
a 2=b2 +c 2−2 bc ( cosA )
82 =122+13.24 2−2(12)(13.24) ( cosA )
64 ¿ 144+175. 3−(317.76) ( cosA )
64 ¿ 319.3−(317.76) ( cosA )
( 317.76 ) ( cosA )=319.3−64
( 317.76 ) ( cosA )=255.3
( cosA )=0.80
A ¿ 36.87 °
To find ∠ B :
∠ B=180 °−(∠ A +∠ C)
∠ B=180 °−(36. 87°+ 80° )
∠ B=180 °−(116.87 ° )
∠ B=63.13 °

Illustrative Example 2:
Determine the missing parts of ∆ ABC.
Given: three sides
a = 15, b = 10, c = 20

Strategy in Solving the SSS Case

1. Find the measure of any angle. Use the law of cosines.
2. Find either of the remaining angles. Use the law of sines or law of cosines.
3. Find the third angle. Subtract the sum of the measures of the angles formed in Steps 1 and
2 from 180° .
Solutions:
To find ∠A :
a 2=b2 +c 2−2 bc ( cosA )
152=10 2+20 2−2(15)(10) ( cosA )
225 ¿ 100+ 400−(400) ( cosA )
225 ¿ 500−(400) ( cosA )
( 400 )( cosA ) =500−225
( 400 )( cosA ) =275
( cosA )=0.69
A ¿ 46.37 °

To find ∠ B :
b 2=a2 +c 2−2 ac ( cosB )
102=15 2+20 2−2(15)(20) ( cosB )
100 ¿ 225+ 400−(600) ( cosB )
100 ¿ 625−(600) ( cosB )
( 600 ) ( cosB )=625−100
( 600 ) ( cosB )=525
( cosB )=0.88
B ¿ 28.36 °
To find ∠ C :
∠ C=180 °−( ∠ A +∠B)
∠ C=180 °−(46.37 ° +28.36 °)
∠ C=180 °−( 74.73° )
∠ C=105.27 °

D. Activity
Let the students solve one problem on the board. The activity is found on page 500,
number 1 of the LM Mathematics 9.

Board Work: Identify the case you may apply in this problem and then find all the
missing parts.

Ask the students the following questions:

1. How did you answer the exercise?
2. What mathematical concept/s did you
apply to obtain the final answer?
3. What generalization can you make
after performing the activity?

E. Generalization
Ask the students on when the law of cosines will be used and let them state the law of
cosines.

V. Evaluation:
Let the students do the activity in a ½ sheet of paper in finding the missing parts of
∆ ABC. The activity is found on page 500, number 2 of the LM Mathematics 9.
Exercise: Identify the case you may apply in this problem and then
find all the missing parts.

VI. Assignment
Let the students solve in their activity notebook in finding the missing parts of ∆ ABC.
The activity is found on page 500, number 3 of the LM Mathematics 9.
Assignment: Identify the case you may apply in this problem and then find all the
missing parts.
SEMI-DETAILED
LESSON PLAN

in

MATHEMATICS 9
(Grade 9-Pascal)

JENY BOY C. CASOL

Subject Teacher