THE LAW OF COSINE  Trigonometry Math 9

THE LAW OF COSINE

 For C
any ABC with sides a,
b, c,

b
a

Note that the law of A B

cosine is used in solving c
triangles when the given
 TRIANGLE TYPE SUMMARY
AND THE LAW THAT APPLIES
TO IT
TRIANGLE TYPE APPLY THE LAW
OF:
AAS or SAA or ASA Law of Sine
SSA Ambiguous Case
(Sine Law)
SSS Cosine Law
SAS Cosine Law
 STRATEGIES IN SOLVING THE
SAS CASE
1. Find the side opposite the given
angle. Use the Law of Cosines.
2. Find the measure of the second
angle (the angle opposite the shorter
of the two given sides – this angle will
always be ACUTE. Use the Law of
Sines or Law of Cosines)
3. Find the measure of the third
angle, subtract the sum of the two
 TRY THESE:

1. Solve the triangle ABC, if

b=7.98 in, c=10 in, and A=100.67˚.

2. Solve triangle ABC, if b=6.83 in,

c=9 in, and A=102.38˚.
STRATEGIES FOR SOLVING
THE SSS CASE
1. Find the angle opposite the
 

longest side. Use the Law of Cosines.

2. Find either the remaining angles.
Use the Law of Sines or the Law of
Cosines.
3. Find the third angle. Subtract the
sum of the first two angles from 180.
TRY THESE:
1. A triangular plot of land has sides
a=3m, b=8m, and c=9m. Find the
measures of the angles of the
triangular lot.

2. In the triangle EPX, EP=42m,

EX=51m, and PX=60m. Find the three
angles.