SOLUTION OF TRIANGLES TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

 It means looking for the unknown parts These are formulas used to:
given at least 3 parts. One given part
A. Determine the value of the
must be a side for the triangle to have
a solution. trigonometric function, or
 If three angles are given, there are an B. Determine the value of the angles,
infinite number of solutions. or
C. Prove identities
sin A cos A
tan A  cot A 
RIGHT TRIANGLES cos A sin A

 One of the angles is 90 degrees sin 2 A  cos2 A  1

 The side opposite the 90 degree angle sec2 A  1  tan 2 A
is called hypotenuse
csc2 A  1  cot2 A
The following principles shall be used in the sin 2 A  2 sin A cos A
solution of right triangles:
cos 2 A  cos2 A  sin 2 A
1. The sum of the acute angles is
90 degrees.
cos 2 A  2 cos2 A  1
cos 2 A  1  2 sin 2 A
2. Pythagorean Theorem
sin( A  B)  sin A cos B  cos A sin B
3. Trigonometric Functions
sin( A  B)  sin A cos B  cos A sin B
Note: These principles are exclusive to right
cos(A  B)  cos A cos B  sin A sin B
triangles.
cos(A  B)  cos A cos B  sin A sin B
tan A  tan B
tan( A  B) 
OBLIQUE TRIANGLES 1  tan A tan B

 Generally, NO angle is 90 degrees

 The principles use in solution of SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY

obliques can be used also in solving
right triangles. Spherical Triangle

 Triangles belonging to the oblique Any section made by a cutting

family are scalenes, equilaterals, and plane that passes through a sphere is
isosceles. circle. A great circle is formed when the
cutting plane passes through the center
The following principles shall be used in the of the sphere. Spherical triangle is a
solution of oblique triangles: triangle bounded by arc of great circles
of a sphere.
1. The sum of the all three angles
is 180 degrees.
2. Sine Law
3. Cosine Law
Note: These principles CAN BE USED in
right triangles.

Note : For spherical triangles, sides a, b,

and c are usually in angular units. And like
plane triangles, angles A, B, and C are
also in angular units.
Sum of interior angles of spherical triangle

The sum of the interior angles of a

spherical triangle is greater than 180° and less
than 540°.

Area of spherical triangle

Napier’s Rules
The area of a spherical triangle on the
surface of the sphere of radius R is given by SIN-COOP Rule
the formula In the Napier’s circle, the sine of any
middle part is equal to product of the cosines
of its opposite parts.

where E is the spherical excess in degrees.

Spherical excess:

SIN-TAAD Rule
In the Napier’s circle, the sine of any
middle part is equal to the product of the
Notes: In spherical trigonometry, earth is tangents of its adjacent parts.
assumed to be a perfect sphere. One minute
(0° 1') of arc from the center of the earth has a
distance equivalent to one (1) nautical mile
(6080 feet) on the arc of great circle on the
surface of the earth.
1 minute of arc = 1 nautical mile
1 nautical mile = 6080 feet
1 statute mile = 5280 feet
1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour
RIGHT SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY
Solve for the spherical triangle whose
Solution of right spherical triangle parts are a = 73°, b = 62°, and C = 90°.

With any two quantities given (three

quantities if the right angle is counted), any
right spherical triangle can be solved by
following the Napier’s rules. The rules are
aided with the Napier’s circle. In Napier’s circle,
the sides and angle of the triangle are written
in consecutive order (not including the right
angle), and complimentary angles are taken for
quantities opposite the right angle.