Law of Cosines

CASE IV: SSS

Introduction
Four cases.

1. Two angles and any side (AAS or ASA)

2. Two sides and an angle opposite one of them (SSA)
3. Three sides (SSS)
4. Two sides and their included angle (SAS)

The first two cases can be solved using the

Law of Sines, whereas the last two cases require the
Law of Cosines.
Law of Cosines: CASE IV

Side, Side, Side B

c a

A C
b
Law of Cosines
 SSS
b2  c2  a 2
cos A 
2bc
a 2  c2  b2
cos B 
2ac
a b c
2 2 2
cosC 
2ab
Always solve for the angle across from the longest side first!
Give: a= 2ft b = 3ft c = 4 ft
Find A, B, C
𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 𝑏2
Cos A= Cos B=
2𝑏𝑐 2𝑎𝑐
32 + 42 − 22 22 + 42 − 32
Cos A= 2(3)(4) Cos B= 2(2)(4)
−1
A = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 0.8750 B = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1 0.6875
A = 𝟐𝟗𝟎 B = 𝟒𝟕𝟎

C = 180 – (290 + 470 )

C = 𝟏𝟎𝟒𝟎
Given: c = 12.4 ft b = 8.8 ft a = 9.2 ft
WS 4.4 Show your complete solution

1. a = 5 b=4 c=6
2. a = 20 b = 10 c = 28
3. a = 8 b=5 c = 12
4. a= 3 b=4 c=6
5. a = 9.3 b = 5.7 c = 8.2