LAW OF SINES AND

COSINES
 An oblique triangle is any triangle that is not a right
triangle. It could be an acute triangle (all three angles of the
triangle are less than right angles) or it could be an obtuse triangle
(one of the three angles is greater than a right angle).
Type of Oblique Triangles
Type of Oblique Triangles
LAW OF SINES → states that the ratio of the side length
of a triangle to the sine of the opposite angle, which is the
same for all three sides.

• ASA (Angle-Side-Angle) Case

• SAA (Side-Angle-Angle) Case
• SSA (Side-Side-Angle) Case (Ambiguous Case)
What is Law of Sines?
• In any ∆ABC, the sides are proportional to the sines of their
opposite angles.
• In symbol, 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐴 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐶
= =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
or
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= =
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐴 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐶
LAW OF SINE
LAW OF SINES
A. SAA (Side-Angle-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
Find A
B
A + B + C = 180°
95°
A + 95° + 60° =180°
A+ 155° = 180°

25° A = 180° - 155°

60°
A b=? C A = 25°
LAW OF SINE
A. SAA (Side-Angle-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
B
95° Find a
𝑎 𝑐
= 15 𝑠𝑖𝑛 25°
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶 𝑎= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60°
𝑎 15
25° 60° = 𝐚 = 𝟕. 𝟑𝟐
𝑠𝑖𝑛 25° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60°
A b=? C
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 60° = 15 𝑠𝑖𝑛 25°
LAW OF SINE
A. SAA (Side-Angle-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
B
95° Find b
𝑎 b
= 7.32𝑠𝑖𝑛 95°
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 B b= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 25°
7.32 b
25° 60° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 25°
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 95°
𝐛 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝟓
A C
bb==17.25
? 7.32 𝑠𝑖𝑛 95° = b 𝑠𝑖𝑛 25°
LAW OF SINE
B. ASA (Angle-Side-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
Find C
B
A + B + C = 180°
110°
37° + 110° + C =180°
147° + C = 180°

37° C = 180° - 147°

33°
A b=? C C = 33°
LAW OF SINE
B. ASA (Angle-Side-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
B

110° Find a
𝑎 𝑐
= 20 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37°
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶 𝑎= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33°
𝑎 20
37° 33° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37°
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33° 𝐚 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟏𝟎
A b=? C
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33° = 20 𝑠𝑖𝑛 37°
LAW OF SINE
B. ASA (Angle-Side-Angle) Case
Solve for the missing sides and angle.
B
Find b
110°
b 𝑐 20 𝑠𝑖𝑛 110°
= 𝑏=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 B 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33°

b
=
20 𝒃 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟓𝟏
37° 33° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 110° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33°
A bb=34.51
=? C
b 𝑠𝑖𝑛 33° = 20 𝑠𝑖𝑛 110°
LAW OF SINE

C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)

• occurs when two sides and a non-included angle are given (an angle
that is the opposite of one of the two given sides)
• there are three possible situations that can occur:
1. No such triangle exists,
2. One such triangle exists, or
3. Two distinct triangles may satisfy the conditions.
LAW OF SINE

C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)

• Consider a triangle which you are given a, b and angle A.
(where h = b sin A or height of the triangle facing the given angle)
• If angle A is Acute, there are four possible outcomes
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Acute, there are four possible outcomes

• If a < h (b sin A),

then no such triangle
exists
• sinB>1
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Acute, there are four possible outcomes

• If a = h (b sin A),
then one such
triangle exists
• sinB=1 (B=90)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Acute, there are four possible outcomes

• If a > h (b sin A),

and a > b then one
such triangle exists
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Acute, there are four possible outcomes

• If h < a < b, then two

such triangle exists
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Obtuse, there are two possible outcomes

• If a < b, then no such

triangle exists
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• If angle A is Obtuse, there are two possible outcomes

• If a > b, then one

such triangle exists
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
Solve for the missing side and angles.

Find A 8 𝑠𝑖𝑛 64°

sinA = 10
𝑎 𝑐
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟐
8 10
46° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 64°
A = 45.97°

8 𝑠𝑖𝑛 64° = 10 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴

LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
Solve for the missing side and angles.
Find B
A + B + C = 180°
46° + B + 64° =180°
110° + B = 180°
46° 70° B = 180° - 110°
B = 70°
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
Solve for the missing side and angles.

Find b
10 𝑠𝑖𝑛 70°
b
=
𝑐 b=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 B 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶 𝑠𝑖𝑛64°

b 10 𝐛 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟒𝟔
46° 70° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 70°
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 64°

b 𝑠𝑖𝑛 64° = 10 𝑠𝑖𝑛 70°

LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
Solve for the missing side and angles.

Find B
23 𝑠𝑖𝑛 34°
b
=
a sinB = 12
𝑠𝑖𝑛 B 𝑠𝑖𝑛 A

23 12
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝑩 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟕
34° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵°
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 34°

23 𝑠𝑖𝑛 34° = 12 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵°

LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
Solve for the missing side and angles.

• 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝑩 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟕
• h(bSinA) = 12.86
• a=12
• a< h(bSinA) = no triangle exists
34°
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
• b>c sinB; Since B is an acute
angle and c>b, then there are two
triangles.
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF SINE
C. Ambiguous Case (SSA, Side-Side-Angle)
LAW OF COSINE

• It relates the lengths of the sides of a triangle to the cosine

of one of its angles. It uses the following formula:
𝑏2 +𝑐 2 −𝑎2
𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴) 𝑜𝑟 cosA =
2𝑏𝑐

2 2 2 𝑎2 +𝑐 2 −𝑏2
𝑏 = 𝑎 + 𝑐 − 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 B) 𝑜𝑟 cosB = 2𝑎𝑐

2 2 2 𝑎2 +𝑏2 −𝑐 2
𝑐 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 − 2𝑎𝑏 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 C) 𝑜𝑟 cosC = 2𝑎𝑏
LAW OF COSINE

• SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case

• SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case

Steps in Solving the SSS Case

• Find the angle opposite the longest side. (Use the Law of
Cosine)
• Find either of the remaining angles. (Use the Law of Sine of
Law of Cosine)
• Find the third angle
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles. Find B
b2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 (cos 𝐵)
B 72 = 32 + 62 − 2 3 6 cos 𝐵
96.38° 49=9+36-36cosB
49-9-36=-36cosB
4=-36cosB
4
A b=7 C = cosB B= 96.38
−36
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find B
B 𝑎2 +𝑐 2 −𝑏2
cosB =
2𝑎𝑐
96.38°
32 +62 −72
cos 𝐵=
2(3)(6)

cos 𝐵= −0.11
A b=7 C B = 96.38
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles. Find A
a2 = 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 (cos 𝐴)
B
32 = 72 + 62 − 2 7 6 cos 𝐴
96.38°
9=49+36-84cosA
9-49-36=-84cosA

25.21° -76=-84cosA
A b=7 C −76
= cosA A= 25.21
−84
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find A
B
𝑏2 +𝑐 2 −𝑎2
cosA = 2𝑏𝑐
96.38°
72 +62 −32
cos 𝐴=
2(7)(6)

25.21° cos 𝐴= 0.90

A b=7 C A = 25.21
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find A
B a b
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 A 𝑠𝑖𝑛 B
96.38°
3 7
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴° 𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38°

3𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38° = 7 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐴

25.21°
3 𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38°
A b=7 C sinA = 𝐀 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟐𝟏
7
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find C
B
A + B + C = 180°
96.38° 25.21°+96.38°+ C = 180°
121.59° + C = 180°

25.21° C = 180° - 122°

58.41°
A b=7 C C = 58.41°
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find C
B 𝑎2 +𝑏2 −𝑐 2
cosC =
2𝑎𝑏
96.38°
32 +72 −62
cos 𝐶= 2(3)(7)

25.21°
cos 𝐶= 0.52
58.41°
A b=7 C C = 58.41
LAW OF COSINE A. SSS (Side-Side-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find C
B c b
𝑠𝑖𝑛 C
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 B
96.38° 6 7
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38°

6𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38° = 7 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐶

25.21° 58.41°
6 𝑠𝑖𝑛 96.38°
A b=7 C sinC = 𝐂 = 𝟖𝟓. 𝟒𝟏
7
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case

Steps in Solving the SAS Case

• Find the side opposite the given angle. (Use the Law of Cosine)
• Find the measure of the 2nd angle; the angle opposite the shorter
of the two sides-this angle will always be acute angle. (Use the Law
of Sines or Law of Cosines)
• Find the measure of the third angle
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing side and angles.
Find c
B
c 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 2𝑎𝑏 (cos 𝐶)
c 2 = 112 + 52 − 2 11 5 cos 57°
c 2 = 121+25-110cos57°
57° C c 2 = 86.09

A c = 86.09 c = 9.28
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles. Find B
𝑏2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵)
B
52 = 112 + 9.282 − 2 11 9.28 cos 𝐵
25 = 121+86.12-198cosB
25 − 121 − 86.12 = -198cosB
57° C -182.12= -198cosB
A B = 26.87
cosB = 0.89
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find B
B cosB =
𝑎2 +𝑐 2 −𝑏2
2𝑎𝑐

112 +9.282 −52

cos 𝐵= 2(11)(9.28)

57° cos 𝐵= 0.89

C
B = 26.87°
A
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find B
B
b c
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 B 𝑠𝑖𝑛 C

5 9.28
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛 57
57° C 5𝑠𝑖𝑛 57 = 9.28 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
5 𝑠𝑖𝑛 57°
A sinB = B = 26.86
9.28
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find A
B
A + B + C = 180°
A + 26.87 + 57 =180°
A+ 83.87 = 180°
57° C A = 180° - 83.87
A = 96.13° A = 99.59
A
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles. Find A

B 𝑎2 = 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴)
112 = 52 + 9.282 − 2 5 9.28 cos 𝐴
121 = 25+86.12-90cosA
121 − 25 − 86.12 = -92.8cosA
57° C
9.88= -92.8cosA
A A = 96.11
LAW OF COSINE B. SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Case
Solve for the missing angles.
Find A
B cosA =
𝑏2 +𝑐 2 −𝑎2
2𝑏𝑐

52 +9.282 −112
cos 𝐴= 2(5)(9.28)

57° cos 𝐴= −0.106

C
A = 96.11
A
 APPLICATION OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLE
Three sisters , Ana, Maria and Chelsea, go to a park to answer their
Math exercises. Each one chose a part of the park where to stay as shown
in the illustration below. What is the measure of ∠A, ∠B and ∠C?
 APPLICATION OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLE
In the same depth of water, two scuba divers who are 20 meters apart
spot a shark that is at the deeper part of the sea. The angle of depression
of the shark from the diver 1 and diver 2 are 47° and 40° respectively.
How far each diver from the shark?
A = 93°

x = 12.87m
 APPLICATION OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLE
John and Jay both start at a point A. Each walk at a straight line and
their paths form an angle of 105°. After 45minutes John has walked 4.5m
and Jay has walked 6km. How far apart are they form each other?