Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Parañaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Mathematics 9 Quarter 4 Week 6

LAW OF SINES, COSINES, AND SOLVE PROBLEMS

INVOLVING OBLIQUE TRIANGLES

Learning Competency
The learner illustrates laws of sines and cosines and solves problems
involving oblique triangles. (M9GE-IVj-48.1)

Objectives
The learner…
a. illustrates laws of sines and cosines.
b. recalls the steps in problem solving.
c. solves problems involving oblique triangles.

Let’s Recall
A. Modified True or False. Draw a happy face (☺) if the statement is correct. If not,
then write F. Use the figure below.
1. Angle A is opposite to side a.
2. The sum of the degrees angle of a
triangle is equal to 90.
3. Angle of depression is an angle
constructed by a horizontal line and the
line joining the object and observer’s
eye.
4. Angle of elevation is just opposite to the
angle of depression.
5. Angle C is adjacent to side b.

Steps in Problem Solving

1. Familiarize. Read and understand the problem. Identify what is needed to
solve the problem.
2. Translate. Write the equation.
3. Solve. Solve the equation.
4. Check. Check the solutions obtained.
5. State. Finalize your answer.
 MATHEMATICS9-QUARTER4-WEEK6

Let’s Understand
Oblique Triangle is a triangle which does not contain any right angle. It can
be classified as:
1. Acute Triangle - a triangle whose angles are all less than 90°.
2. Obtuse Triangle - a triangle in which one of the angles is more than 90°.

The Law of Sine and Cosine are essential in solving oblique triangles.
• LAW OF SINE
The Law of sine (Sine Rule) is very useful in solving angles and sides
of a Triangle. It works in any triangles.

In any ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶,
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
= =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

Law of Sine best to use when:

CASE 1: Two sides and an angle opposite one of those sides is given and
you are going to find the other angle(s).

Example: Solve for the missing parts of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 on the given figure.
Given: two sides and an angle opposite one of these sides
𝑎 = 10
𝑐 = 19
∠𝐶 = 120°

Solution: ∠𝐶 is an obtuse angle and 𝑐 > 𝑎,

Since 𝑎, 𝑐 and ∠𝐶 are known, we can use the formula
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶
= Formula to solve for 𝐴
𝑎 𝑐
sin 𝐴 sin 120°
= Substitute the given values
10 19
19 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = 10 𝑠𝑖𝑛 120° Cross multiply
19 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = 10(0.8660) Compute the values using scientific
calculator
19 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 = 8.66 Simplify the resulting equation
8.66
sin 𝐴 = Solve for 𝐴
19
𝑨 = 𝟐𝟕. 𝟏𝟐°

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 MATHEMATICS9-QUARTER4-WEEK6
sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
= Formula to solve for 𝑏
𝑏 𝑐
sin 32.88° sin 120°
= Substitute the given values
𝑏 19
𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 120° = 19 𝑠𝑖𝑛 32.88° Cross multiply
0.8660𝑏 = 19(0.5429) Compute the values using scientific
calculator
0.8660𝑏 = 10.3151 Simplify the resulting equation
10.3151
𝑏= Solve for 𝑏
0.8660
𝒃 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟗𝟏

∠𝐴 + ∠𝐵 + ∠𝐶 = 180°
27.12° + ∠𝐵 + 120° = 180°
147.12° + ∠𝐵 = 180°
∠𝐵 = 180° − 147.12°
∠𝑩 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟖𝟖°

CASE 2: Two angles and one opposite side are given, and you are going to
find the missing side(s).

EXAMPLE: SAA Cases (Side Angle Angle)

Find the missing parts of △ ABC on the given figure.
Given: two angles and one side
∠𝐴 = 42°
∠𝐶 = 70°
𝑎=6

Solution: Since 𝑏, 𝑐 and ∠𝐵 are not yet given, we can use the formula
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶
= Formula to solve for 𝑐
𝑎 𝑐
sin 42° sin 70°
= Substitute the given values
6 𝑐
𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛 42° = 6 𝑠𝑖𝑛 70° Cross multiply
0.6691𝑐 = 6(0.9397) Compute the values using scientific
calculator
0.6691𝑐 = 5.6382 Simplify the resulting equation
5.6382
𝑐= Solve for 𝑐
0.6691
𝒄 = 𝟖. 𝟒𝟑

sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
= Formula to solve for 𝑏
𝑎 𝑏
sin 42° sin 68°
= Substitute the given values
6 𝑏

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 MATHEMATICS9-QUARTER4-WEEK6

𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 42° = 6 𝑠𝑖𝑛 68° Cross multiply

0.6691𝑏 = 6(0.9272) Compute the values using scientific
calculator
06691𝑏 = 5.5632 Simplify the resulting equation
5.5632
𝑏 = 0.6691 Solve for 𝑏
𝒃 = 𝟖. 𝟑𝟏

∠𝐴 + ∠𝐵 + ∠𝐶 = 180°
42° + ∠𝐵 + 70° = 180°
112° + ∠𝐵 = 180°
∠𝐵 = 180° − 112°
∠𝑩 = 𝟔𝟖°

• LAW OF COSINE
Let a, b, and c be the lengths of the sides of a triangle opposite angles
A, B, and C. Then the law of cosines states:

Formula for Missing side Formula for Finding Angle/s:

𝑐² = 𝑎² + 𝑏² − 2𝑎𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐶 𝑏² + 𝑐² − 𝑎²
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐴 =
𝑏² = 𝑎² + 𝑐² − 2𝑎𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 2𝑏𝑐
𝑎² = 𝑏² + 𝑐² − 2𝑎𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 𝑎² + 𝑐² − 𝑏²
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐵 =
2𝑎𝑐
𝑎² + 𝑏² − 𝑐²
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐶 =
2𝑎𝑏
Law of Cosine best to use when:
Case 1: The length of all three sides of a triangle are given and you are going
to find an angle.

Example: Find the unknown value.

Given: three sides
𝑎 = 25
𝑏 = 36
𝑐 = 50

𝑎²+𝑏²−𝑐²
Solution: 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐶 = 2𝑎𝑏
(25)²+(36)²−(50)²
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐶 = Substitute the given:
2(25)(36)
−579
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐶 = 1800
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐶 = 0.322
𝐶 = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 (0.322)
𝐶 = 71.21°

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 MATHEMATICS9-QUARTER4-WEEK6

Case 2: Two sides and an angle in

between are given and you are
going to find the side opposite
to the angle.

Let’s Apply
Solve for the unknown in each triangle using Law of Sine and Cosine. Round to the
nearest hundredth.
1. 2.

3. 4.

Let’s Analyze
Picture Me
Draw your own triangle given the indicated measures and solve for the other parts
using the Law of Sines. Round off all decimals to the nearest tenths.
1. ∠𝐴 = 73°, 𝑎 = 18, 𝑏 = 11 2. ∠𝐴 = 26°, ∠𝐶 = 35°, 𝑏 = 13

∠𝐵 = _____, ∠𝐶 = _____, 𝑐 = _____ ∠𝐵 = _____, 𝑎 = _____, 𝑐 = _____

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3. ∠𝐿 = 25°, ∠𝑀 = 18°, 𝑛 = 30 4. ∠𝑉 = 148°, ∠𝑈 = 12°, 𝑣 = 45

∠𝑁 = _____, 𝑙 = _____, 𝑚 = _____ ∠𝑇 = _____, 𝑡 = _____, 𝑢 = _____

Let’s Create
Solve and illustrate the problem.
A triangular Pigeon cage has two sides which measure 5 ft and 6 ft. These sides
form an angle that measures 90°. Find the distance between two ends of the
side.
• What law did you use and why?
• What formula is to be used?
• Show your solution.

Illustration: Solution:

Let’s Try
Read each problem carefully and solve.
1. Kent and James are standing at the seashore 20 miles apart. The coastline is
a straight line between them. Both can see the same ship in the water. The
angle between the coastline and the line between the ship and Kent is 30
degrees. The angle between the coastline and the line between the ship and
James is 50 degrees. How far is the ship from Kent?

2. Three Planes are at the sea: Plane one(P1), Plane Two(P2), and Plane three
(P3). The crew of P1 can see both P2 and P3. The angle(P1) between the line
of sight to P2 and the line of sight to P3 is 50 degrees. If the distance between
P1 and P2 is 3 miles and the distance between P1 and P3 is 5 miles, what is
the distance between P2 and P3?

3. A golfer misses a 15-foot putt by putting 50 off course. The hole now lies at a
1250 angle between the ball and its spot before the putt. What distance does
the golfer need to put in order to make the shot?