Thought for the Day

THE LAW OF COSINES

THEOREM: If α , β and γ are the angles of any triangle, and a , b , and c are ,
respectively, the measures of the sides opposite these angles, then
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos α
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos β
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos γ
Consider: a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos α
2bc cos α = b2 + c2 - a2

b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos β
2ac cos β = a2 + c2 - b2

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos γ
2ab cos γ = a2 + b2 - c2
The Law of Cosines may be used to solve for the
measures of different parts of the triangle, given:
1. 3 sides.
2. two sides and an included angle.
Example 1
Given the triangle ABC in which a = 15 , b = 20 and c = 28.
Find α.
Solution: 3 sides are given
We want to solve for α.

(0.85625)

= 310 (rounded off)

Example 2 Given the triangle ABC in which a = 8 , b = 5
and γ = 600. Find side c.

Use the formula: c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos γ

c2 = 82 + 52 – 2(8)(5) cos 600
c2 = 49
c = 7 cm
How to Solve a Word Problem Using the
Law of Cosines

Step 1: Read the problem and identify the

information that is needed. If necessary, draw a
picture.

Step 2: Choose variables to represent the

information and identify the correct Law of Cosines
formula.

Step 3: Substitute the information into the formula

and solve.
Example 3

Jeff is building a fence in his backyard that is

shaped like a triangle. He has already built two
sides of the fence with lengths 6 feet and 7 feet,
but he needs to know how long to make the third
side. Assuming that the angle between the two built
sides is 1100, what length does the third side need
to be?
Step 1: Read the problem and identify the information
that is needed. If necessary, draw a picture.
Thus, we have two sides of a fence and the angle
between them:
One side of the fence is 6 ft
Another side of the fence is 7 ft.
The angle between the two sides is 1100.
We need to find c, the third side of the fence.
Step 2: Choose variables to represent the
information. Identify the correct Law of Cosine formula
based on the information.
We will let
a=6
b=7
=1100
Let c = the third side of the fence (opposite  =1100)
Given this information, we will use the formula where 
 is included:
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos γ
Step 3: Substitute the information into the formula
and solve.

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos γ
c2 = 62 + 72 – 2(6)(7) cos 1100
c2 = 36 + 49 – (-28.72969)
c2 = 113.72969
c = 10.7 11
Therefore, the length of the third side of the fence is
approximately 11 ft.
Example 4
A tower 23.5 meters tall makes an angle of 110.20
with the inclined road on which it is located.
Determine the angle subtended by the tower at a
point down the road 28.2 meters from its foot.
Solution: i. We need to solve side b first.
a = 28.2 , c = 23.5 , β = 110.20
Use b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos β
b2 = 28.22 + 23.52 – 2(28.2)(23.5) cos 110.20
b2 = 1805.1
b = 42.5

ii. Solve for γ: a = 28.2 , b = 42.5 , c = 23.5

= 31.20
Therefore, the angle subtended by the tower at a point
down the road 28.2 meters from its foot is 31.20
.