Chapter 25

Triangles and some

practical applications
25.1 Sine and cosine rules Cosine rule
With reference to triangle ABC of Fig. 25.1, the cosine
To ‘solve a triangle’ means ‘to find the values of rule states:
unknown sides and angles’. If a triangle is right-angled, a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A
trigonometric ratios and the theorem of Pythagoras
may be used for its solution, as shown in Chapter 22. or b2 = a2 + c2 − 2ac cos B
However, for a non-right-angled triangle, trigono- or c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C
metric ratios and Pythagoras’ theorem cannot be used. The rule may be used only when:
Instead, two rules, called the sine rule and cosine rule,
are used. (i) 2 sides and the included angle are initially given, or
(ii) 3 sides are initially given.
Sine rule
With reference to triangle ABC of Fig. 25.1, the sine 25.2 Area of any triangle
rule states:
The area of any triangle such as ABC of Fig. 25.1 is
a b c
= = given by:
sin A sin B sin C
(i) 1
2 × base × perpendicular height, or
1 1 1
A (ii) 2 ab sin C or 2 ac sin B or 2 bc sin A, or
√
(iii) s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)
c b
a+b+c
where s =
2
B a C
25.3 Worked problems on the
Figure 25.1
solution of triangles and their
areas
The rule may be used only when:

(i) 1 side and any 2 angles are initially given, or
(ii) 2 sides and an angle (not the included angle) are
initially given.
Problem 1. In a triangle XYZ, ∠X = 51◦ ,
∠Y = 67◦ and YZ = 15.2 cm. Solve the triangle and
find its area
 Triangles and some practical applications 217

The triangle XYZ is shown in Fig. 25.2. Since Applying the sine rule:
the angles in a triangle add up to 180◦ , then 22.31 17.92
z = 180◦ − 51◦ − 67◦ = 62◦ . ◦ 
=
sin 78 51 sin C
X
17.92 sin 78◦ 51
from which, sin C = = 0.7881
22.31
51°
z y Hence C = sin−1 0.7881 = 52◦ 0 or 128◦ 0 (see Chap-
ters 22 and 23).
67° Since B = 78◦ 51 , C cannot be 128◦ 0 , since
128◦ 0 + 78◦ 51 is greater than 180◦ .

Section 3
Y x  15.2 cm Z

Figure 25.2 Thus only C = 52◦ 0 is valid.

Applying the sine rule: Angle A = 180◦ − 78◦ 51 − 52◦ 0 = 49◦ 9
15.2 y z Applying the sine rule:
= =
sin 51◦ sin 67◦ sin 62◦ a 22.31
15.2 y ◦ 
=
Using = and transposing gives: sin 49 9 sin 78◦ 51
sin 51◦ sin 67◦
22.31 sin 49◦ 9
15.2 sin 67◦ from which, a= = 17.20 mm
y= = 18.00 cm = XZ sin 78◦ 51
sin 51◦
15.2 z Hence A = 49◦ 9 , C = 52◦ 0 and BC = 17.20 mm.
Using = and transposing gives:
sin 51◦ sin 62◦ Area of triangle ABC = 21 ac sin B
15.2 sin 62◦
z= = 17.27 cm = XY = 21 (17.20)(17.92) sin 78◦ 51 = 151.2 mm2
sin 51◦
Area of triangle XYZ = 21 xy sin Z Problem 3. Solve the triangle PQR and find its
◦ area given that QR = 36.5 mm, PR = 26.6 mm and
= 2 (15.2)(18.00) sin 62 = 120.8 cm
1 2
∠Q = 36◦
◦
(or area = 2 xz sin Y = 2 (15.2)(17.27) sin 67
1 1

= 120.8 cm )
2
Triangle PQR is shown in Fig. 25.4.
It is always worth checking with triangle problems P
that the longest side is opposite the largest angle, and
vice-versa. In this problem, Y is the largest angle and r q  29.6 mm
XZ is the longest of the three sides.
36°
Problem 2. Solve the triangle ABC given Q p  36.5 mm R
B = 78◦ 51 , AC = 22.31 mm and AB = 17.92 mm.
Figure 25.4
Find also its area
Applying the sine rule:
Triangle ABC is shown in Fig. 25.3. 29.6 36.5
=
sin 36◦ sin P
A
36.5 sin 36◦
from which, sin P = = 0.7248
.92 mm

29.6
b  22.31 mm
Hence P = sin−1 0.7248 = 46◦ 27 or 133◦ 33
c  17

When P = 46◦ 27 and Q = 36◦

78°51′
then R = 180◦ − 46◦ 27 − 36◦ = 97◦ 33
B a C
When P = 133◦ 33 and Q = 36◦
Figure 25.3 then R = 180◦ − 133◦ 33 − 36◦ = 10◦ 27
 218 Engineering Mathematics

Thus, in this problem, there are two separate sets of

results and both are feasible solutions. Such a situation In Problems 3 and 4, use the sine rule to solve the
is called the ambiguous case. triangles DEF and find their areas.
Case 1. P = 46◦ 27 , Q = 36◦ , R = 97◦ 33 , p = 36.5 mm 3. d = 17 cm, f = 22 cm, F = 26◦
and q = 29.6 mm  
D = 19◦ 48 , E = 134◦ 12 ,
From the sine rule: e = 36.0 cm, area = 134 cm2
r 29.6
= 4. d = 32.6 mm, e = 25.4 mm, D = 104◦ 22
sin 97◦ 33 sin 36◦  
29.6 sin 97◦ 33 E = 49◦ 0 , F = 26◦ 38 ,
from which, r= = 49.92 mm f = 15.09 mm, area = 185.6 mm2
sin 36◦
Section 3

Area = 21 pq sin R = 21 (36.5)(29.6) sin 97◦ 33 In Problems 5 and 6, use the sine rule to solve the
triangles JKL and find their areas.
= 535.5 mm 2

Case 2. P = 133◦ 33 , Q = 36◦ , R = 10◦ 27 , p = 36.5 mm 5. j = 3.85 cm, k = 3.23 cm, K = 36◦
⎡ ⎤
and q = 29.6 mm J = 44◦ 29 , L = 99◦ 31 , l = 5.420 cm,
⎢area = 6.133 cm2 ⎥
From the sine rule: ⎢ ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎣OR J = 135◦ 31 , L = 8◦ 29 , ⎦
r 29.6
◦ 
= l = 0.811 cm, area = 0.917 cm2
sin 10 27 sin 36◦
29.6 sin 10◦ 2 6. k = 46 mm, l = 36 mm, L = 35◦
from which, r= = 9.134 mm ⎡ ⎤
sin 36◦ K = 47◦ 8 , J = 97◦ 52 ,
⎢ j = 62.2 mm, area = 820.2 mm2 ⎥
Area = 21 pq sin R = 21 (36.5)(29.6) sin 10◦ 27 ⎢ ⎥
⎣ OR K = 132◦ 52 , J = 12◦ 8 , ⎦
= 97.98 mm2 j = 13.19 mm, area = 174.0 mm2
Triangle PQR for case 2 is shown in Fig. 25.5.
133°33′
P 25.4 Further worked problems on
9.134 mm 29.6 mm
the solution of triangles
R
Q 36.5 mm and their areas
36° 10°27′

Figure 25.5 Problem 4. Solve triangle DEF and find its area
given that EF = 35.0 mm, DE = 25.0 mm and
Now try the following exercise ∠E = 64◦

Triangle DEF is shown in Fig. 25.6.

Exercise 95 Further problems on the
solution of triangles and D
their areas
f  25.0 mm e
In Problems 1 and 2, use the sine rule to solve the
triangles ABC and find their areas. 64°

◦ ◦ , b = 27 mm. E d  35.0 mm F
1. A = 29
 , B = 68 
C = 83◦ , a = 14.4 mm, c = 28.9 mm, Figure 25.6
area = 189 mm2 Applying the cosine rule:
2. B = 71◦ 26 , C = 56◦ 32 ,
b = 8.60 cm. e2 = d 2 + f 2 − 2df cos E
 
A = 52◦ 2 , c = 7.568 cm,
i.e. e2 = (35.0)2 + (25.0)2 − [2(35.0)(25.0) cos 64◦ ]
a = 7.152 cm, area = 25.65 cm2
= 1225 + 625 − 767.1 = 1083
 Triangles and some practical applications 219
√
from which, e = 1083 = 32.91 mm negative, angle A would be obtuse, i.e. lie between 90◦
and 180◦ ).
Applying the sine rule:
Applying the sine rule:
32.91 25.0
◦
= 9.0 7.5
sin 64 sin F =
25.0 sin 64◦ sin 79.66◦ sin B
from which, sin F = = 0.6828
32.91 7.5 sin 79.66◦
from which, sin B = = 0.8198
9.0
Thus ∠F = sin−1 0.6828
Hence B = sin−1 0.8198 = 55.06◦
◦  ◦ 
= 43 4

Section 3
or 136 56
and C = 180◦ − 79.66◦ − 55.06◦ = 45.28◦
F = 136◦ 56 is not possible in this case since √
Area = s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c), where
136◦ 56 + 64◦ is greater than 180◦ . Thus only F = 43◦ 4
is valid. a+b+c 9.0 + 7.5 + 6.5
s= = = 11.5 cm
2 2
∠D = 180◦ − 64◦ − 43◦ 4 = 72◦ 56
Hence
Area of triangle DEF = 21 d f sin E 
area = 11.5(11.5 − 9.0)(11.5 − 7.5)(11.5 − 6.5)
= 21 (35.0)(25.0) sin 64◦ = 393.2 mm2 
= 11.5(2.5)(4.0)(5.0) = 23.98 cm2

Problem 5. A triangle ABC has sides a = 9.0 cm, Alternatively,

b = 7.5 cm and c = 6.5 cm. Determine its three
area = 21 ab sin C = 21 (9.0)(7.5) sin 45.28◦
angles and its area
= 23.98 cm2
Triangle ABC is shown in Fig. 25.7. It is usual first
to calculate the largest angle to determine whether the Problem 6. Solve triangle XYZ, shown in Fig.
triangle is acute or obtuse. In this case the largest angle 25.8, and find its area given that Y = 128◦ ,
is A (i.e. opposite the longest side). XY = 7.2 cm and YZ = 4.5 cm
A X

y
c  6.5 cm b  7.5 cm z  7.2 cm
128°
Y x  4.5 cm Z
B a  9.0 cm C
Figure 25.8
Figure 25.7

Applying the cosine rule:

Applying the cosine rule:
a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A
y2 = x 2 + z2 − 2xz cos Y
from which,
= 4.52 + 7.22 − [2(4.5)(7.2) cos 128◦ ]
2bc cos A = b + c − a
2 2 2
= 20.25 + 51.84 − [−39.89]
b2 + c 2 − a 2 = 20.25 + 51.84 + 39.89 = 112.0
and cos A = √
2bc y = 112.0 = 10.58 cm
7.52 + 6.52 − 9.02 Applying the sine rule:
= = 0.1795
2(7.5)(6.5) 10.58 7.2
◦
=
Hence A = cos−1 0.1795 = 79.66◦ (or 280.33◦ , which sin 128 sin Z
is obviously impossible). The triangle is thus acute 7.2 sin 128◦
from which, sin Z = = 0.5363
angled since cos A is positive. (If cos A had been 10.58
 220 Engineering Mathematics

Hence Z = sin−1 0.5363 = 32.43◦ (or 147.57◦ which, A section of the roof is shown in Fig. 25.9.
here, is impossible).
B
X = 180◦ − 128◦ − 32.43◦ = 19.57◦
33° 40°
◦ A 8.0 m C
Area = 1
2 xz sin Y = 1
2 (4.5)(7.2) sin 128
Figure 25.9
= 12.77 cm 2

Angle at ridge, B = 180◦ − 33◦ − 40◦ = 107◦

From the sine rule:
Section 3

Now try the following exercise 8.0 a

=
sin 107◦ sin 33◦
Exercise 96 Further problems on the 8.0 sin 33◦
from which, a= = 4.556 m
solution of triangles and sin 107◦
their areas Also from the sine rule:
8.0 c
In Problems 1 and 2, use the cosine and sine rules ◦
=
sin 107 sin 40◦
to solve the triangles PQR and find their areas.
8.0 sin 40◦
from which, c= = 5.377 m
1. q = 12 cm, r = 16 cm, P = 54◦ sin 107◦
 
p = 13.2 cm, Q = 47.35◦ , Hence the roof slopes are 4.56 m and 5.38 m, correct
R = 78.65◦ , area = 77.7 cm2 to the nearest centimetre.
2. q = 3.25 m, r = 4.42 m, P = 105◦
  Problem 8. A man leaves a point walking at
p = 6.127 m, Q = 30.83◦ ,
6.5 km/h in a direction E 20◦ N (i.e. a bearing of
R = 44.17◦ , area = 6.938 m2
70◦ ). A cyclist leaves the same point at the same
In Problems 3 and 4, use the cosine and sine rules time in a direction E 40◦ S (i.e. a bearing of 130◦ )
to solve the triangles XYZ and find their areas. travelling at a constant speed. Find the average
speed of the cyclist if the walker and cyclist are
3. x = 10.0 cm, y = 8.0 cm, z = 7.0 cm. 80 km apart after 5 hours
 
X = 83.33◦ , Y = 52.62◦ , Z = 44.05◦ ,
area = 27.8 cm2 After 5 hours the walker has travelled 5 × 6.5 = 32.5 km
4. x = 21 mm, y = 34 mm, z = 42 mm. (shown as AB in Fig. 25.10). If AC is the distance the
  cyclist travels in 5 hours then BC = 80 km.
Z = 29.77◦ , Y = 53.50◦ , Z = 96.73◦ ,
area = 355 mm2 20°
N
5 km B
32.
W E
A 40°
25.5 Practical situations involving 80 km
S
trigonometry b

There are a number of practical situations where the

use of trigonometry is needed to find unknown sides
C
and angles of triangles. This is demonstrated in the
following worked problems. Figure 25.10
Applying the sine rule:
Problem 7. A room 8.0 m wide has a span roof 80 32.5
which slopes at 33◦ on one side and 40◦ on the ◦
=
sin 60 sin C
other. Find the length of the roof slopes, correct to 32.5 sin 60◦
the nearest centimetre from which, sin C = = 0.3518
80
 Triangles and some practical applications 221

Hence C = sin−1 0.3518 = 20.60◦ (or 159.40◦ , which

Problem 10. In Fig. 25.12, PR represents the
is impossible in this case).
inclined jib of a crane and is 10.0 m long. PQ is
B = 180◦ − 60◦ − 20.60◦ = 99.40◦ . 4.0 m long. Determine the inclination of the jib to
the vertical and the length of tie QR
Applying the sine rule again:
R
80 b
=
sin 60◦ sin 99.40◦
80 sin 99.40◦
from which, b= = 91.14 km
sin 60◦ Q
120°

Section 3
Since the cyclist travels 91.14 km in 5 hours then 4.0 m 10.0 m
distance 91.14
average speed = = = 18.23 km/h
time 5
P
Problem 9. Two voltage phasors are shown in
Fig. 25.11. If V1 = 40 V and V2 = 100 V determine Figure 25.12
the value of their resultant (i.e. length OA) and the
angle the resultant makes with V1
Applying the sine rule:
A
PR PQ
V2  100 V =
sin 120◦ sin R
PQ sin 120◦
from which, sin R =
PR
45°
(4.0) sin 120◦
O B = = 0.3464
V1  40 V 10.0

Figure 25.11 Hence ∠R = sin−1 0.3464 = 20.27◦ (or 159.73◦ , which

is impossible in this case).
Angle OBA = 180◦ − 45◦ = 135◦ ∠P = 180◦ − 120◦ − 20.27◦ = 39.73◦ , which is the
Applying the cosine rule: inclination of the jib to the vertical.

OA2 = V12 + V22 − 2V1 V2 cos OBA Applying the sine rule:
◦
= 40 + 100 − {2(40)(100) cos 135 }
2 2 10.0
=
QR
◦ sin 39.73◦
= 1600 + 10 000 − {−5657} sin 120
= 1600 + 10 000 + 5657 = 17 257
10.0 sin 39.73◦
from which, length of tie, QR =
The resultant sin 120◦
√
OA = 17 257 = 131.4 V = 7.38 m
Applying the sine rule:
131.4 100 Now try the following exercise
=
sin 135◦ sin AOB
100 sin 135◦
from which, sin AOB = = 0.5381 Exercise 97 Further problems on practical
131.4 situations involving
Hence angle AOB = sin−1 0.5381 = 32.55◦ (or 147.45◦ , trigonometry
which is impossible in this case).
1. A ship P sails at a steady speed of 45 km/h in
Hence the resultant voltage is 131.4 volts at a direction of W 32◦ N (i.e. a bearing of 302◦ )
32.55◦ to V 1 from a port. At the same time another ship Q
 222 Engineering Mathematics

leaves the port at a steady speed of 35 km/h in
a direction N 15◦ E (i.e. a bearing of 015◦ ).
Determine their distance apart after 4 hours.
[193 km]
2. Two sides of a triangular plot of land are 52.0 m
and 34.0 m, respectively. If the area of the plot
is 620 m2 find (a) the length of fencing required
to enclose the plot and (b) the angles of the
triangular plot.
Section 3
6. A laboratory 9.0 m wide has a span roof that
slopes at 36◦ on one side and 44◦ on the other.
Determine the lengths of the roof slopes.
[6.35 m, 5.37 m]
7. PQ and QR are the phasors representing the
alternating currents in two branches of a cir-
cuit. Phasor PQ is 20.0 A and is horizontal.
Phasor QR (which is joined to the end of PQ
to form triangle PQR) is 14.0 A and is at an

[(a) 122.6 m (b) 94.80◦ , 40.66◦ , 44.54◦ ] angle of 35◦ to the horizontal. Determine the
resultant phasor PR and the angle it makes with
3. A jib crane is shown in Fig. 25.13. If the tie
phasor PQ [32.48 A, 14.31◦ ]
rod PR is 8.0 long and PQ is 4.5 m long deter-
mine (a) the length of jib RQ and (b) the angle
between the jib and the tie rod.
[(a) 11.4 m (b) 17.55◦ ] 25.6 Further practical situations
involving trigonometry
R

Problem 11. A vertical aerial stands on

horizontal ground. A surveyor positioned due east
130° P of the aerial measures the elevation of the top as
48◦ . He moves due south 30.0 m and measures the
elevation as 44◦ . Determine the height of the aerial
Q

In Fig. 25.16, DC represents the aerial, A is the initial

position of the surveyor and B his final position.
Figure 25.13 DC
From triangle ACD, tan 48◦ = , from which
4. A building site is in the form of a quadrilateral AC
as shown in Fig. 25.14, and its area is 1510 m2 . DC
AC =
Determine the length of the perimeter of the tan 48◦
site. [163.4 m] D

28.5 m
72°
34.6 m

52.4 m 75°
48°
C A

44° 30.0 m
Figure 25.14
5. Determine the length of members BF and EB B
in the roof truss shown in Fig. 25.15.
Figure 25.16
[BF = 3.9 m, EB = 4.0 m] DC
Similarly, from triangle BCD, BC =
E tan 44◦
4m 4m
F D For triangle ABC, using Pythagoras’ theorem:
2.5 m 2.5 m
50° 50°
A 5m B 5m C BC 2 = AB2 + AC 2
 2  2
DC DC
Figure 25.15 = (30.0) 2
+
tan 44◦ tan 48◦
 Triangles and some practical applications 223
 
1 1 (b) Figure 25.18 shows the initial and final positions of
DC 2 − = 30.02
2
tan 44 ◦ tan 48◦
2 the crank mechanism. In triangle OA B , applying
the sine rule:
DC 2 (1.072323 − 0.810727) = 30.02
30.0 10.0
30.02 =
DC 2 = = 3440.4 sin 120◦ sin A B O
0.261596
√ 10.0 sin 120◦
Hence, height of aerial, DC = 3340.4 from which, sin A B O =
30.0
= 58.65 m. = 0.2887

Section 3
Problem 12. A crank mechanism of a petrol A A′
m
engine is shown in Fig. 25.17. Arm OA is 10.0 cm 30.0 c 120°
long and rotates clockwise about 0. The connecting 50°
10.0 cm
B B′ O
rod AB is 30.0 cm long and end B is constrained to
move horizontally
A Figure 25.19
m
30.0 c 10.0 cm
50° Hence A B O = sin−1 0.2887 = 16.78◦ (or 163.22◦
B O which is impossible in this case).

Angle OA B = 180◦ − 120◦ − 16.78◦ = 43.22◦

Figure 25.17
Applying the sine rule:
(a) For the position shown in Fig. 25.17 determine
the angle between the connecting rod AB and 30.0 OB
=
the horizontal and the length of OB. sin 120◦ sin 43.22◦
(b) How far does B move when angle AOB 30.0 sin 43.22◦
changes from 50◦ to 120◦ ? from which, OB =
sin 120◦
= 23.72 cm
(a) Applying the sine rule:
Since OB = 35.43 cm and OB = 23.72 cm then
AB AO
=
sin 50◦ sin B BB = 35.43 − 23.72 = 11.71 cm
AO sin 50◦
from which, sin B = Hence B moves 11.71 cm when angle AOB
AB
changes from 50◦ to 120◦
10.0 sin 50◦
= = 0.2553
30.0
Hence B = sin−1 0.2553 = 14.78◦ (or 165.22◦ ,
Problem 13. The area of a field is in the form of a
which is impossible in this case).
quadrilateral ABCD as shown in Fig. 25.19.
Hence the connecting rod AB makes an angle Determine its area
of 14.78◦ with the horizontal.
B
Angle OAB = 180◦ − 50◦ − 14.78◦ = 115.22◦ 42.5 m
C
56°
Applying the sine rule: 39.8 m
30.0 OB
◦
= 62.3 m
sin 50 sin 115.22◦ A
114°

30.0 sin 115.22◦ 21.4 m

from which, OB =
sin 50◦ D

= 35.43 cm Figure 25.19

 224 Engineering Mathematics

A diagonal drawn from B to D divides the quadrilateral

into two triangles. 5. A surveyor, standing W 25◦ S of a tower
measures the angle of elevation of the top of
Area of quadrilateral ABCD the tower as 46◦ 30 . From a position E 23◦ S
= area of triangle ABD + area of triangle BCD from the tower the elevation of the top is
37◦ 15 . Determine the height of the tower if the
= 21 (39.8)(21.4) sin 114◦ + 21 (42.5)(62.3) sin 56◦
distance between the two observations is 75 m.
= 389.04 + 1097.5 = 1487 m2 [36.2 m]
6. Calculate, correct to 3 significant figures, the
co-ordinates x and y to locate the hole centre
Section 3

Now try the following exercise at P shown in Fig. 25.21.

[x = 69.3 mm, y = 142 mm]
Exercise 98 Further problems on practical P
situations involving
trigonometry

1. Three forces acting on a fixed point are repre-

sented by the sides of a triangle of dimensions y
7.2 cm, 9.6 cm and 11.0 cm. Determine the
angles between the lines of action and the three
forces. [80.42◦ , 59.38◦ , 40.20◦ ] 116° 140°

x 100 mm
2. A vertical aerial AB, 9.60 m high, stands on
ground which is inclined 12◦ to the horizontal.
Figure 25.21
A stay connects the top of the aerial A to a point
C on the ground 10.0 m downhill from B, the 7. An idler gear, 30 mm in diameter, has to be
foot of the aerial. Determine (a) the length of fitted between a 70 mm diameter driving gear
the stay, and (b) the angle the stay makes with and a 90 mm diameter driven gear as shown
the ground. [(a) 15.23 m (b) 38.07◦ ] in Fig. 25.22. Determine the value of angle θ
between the centre lines. [130◦ ]
3. A reciprocating engine mechanism is shown
90 mm
in Fig. 25.20. The crank AB is 12.0 cm long dia
and the connecting rod BC is 32.0 cm long.
For the position shown determine the length
of AC and the angle between the crank and the
connecting rod. [40.25 cm, 126.05◦ ] 30 mm
99.78 mm θ dia
4. From Fig. 25.20, determine how far C moves, 70 mm
dia
correct to the nearest millimetre when angle
CAB changes from 40◦ to 160◦ , B moving in
an anticlockwise direction. [19.8 cm]

B
Figure 25.22
40°
A
C 8. 16 holes are equally spaced on a pitch circle
of 70 mm diameter. Determine the length of
the chord joining the centres of two adjacent
Figure 25.20 holes. [13.66 mm]