The Cosine Rule: Proof A We can use Pythagoras & Trigonometry to

solve a non-right angled triangle.

We want to
eliminate & .
c b
h

c B C b
h 𝑥 𝑎− 𝑥 h
a
B 𝑥 𝑎− 𝑥
h2=𝒄𝟐−𝒙 𝟐 h 2=𝒃 𝟐 − ( 𝒂− 𝒙 )
𝟐

𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵=
𝑐

𝒄 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝑩=𝑥

( 𝑎− 𝑥 )2=𝑎2 −2 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑥 2
The Cosine Rule: Proof A

c b
h

c B C b
h 𝑥 𝑎− 𝑥 h
a
B 𝑥 𝑎− 𝑥
h2=𝑐2− 𝑥2 h 2=𝑏 2− ( 𝑎− 𝑥 )
2

𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵=
𝑐

𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵=𝑥
 Are these all correct expressions of the Cosine rule?
A This is the
one on
c b 𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 formula
sheet.
B a C
A
b
c 𝑏2=𝑎2+𝑐 2− 2𝑎𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵
B a C
A
b
c 𝑐 2=𝑎 2+𝑏2− 2𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐶
B a C

The cosine rules uses 2 adjacent sides & the angle between them.
 The cosine rules always involves:
7
6 2 adjacent sides
51° the included angle
9 the side opposite the included angle.

9
𝑥
7 °
70° 8
11
10

finding a side finding an angle

The Cosine Rule
A
b
c

B a C
For any triangle…

Use when trying to

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴 find a length.

𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2 Use when trying to

cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐 find an angle.
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths
Find .

b a
6 cm 𝑥
55°
A
8 cm c

𝑥 2=6 2+8 2 −(2× 6 × 8 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 55)

𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths
Find .

b a
6 cm 𝑥 Does it matter which side we call b,
55° and which side we call c?
A
8 cm c
𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴
𝑥 2=6 2+8 2 −(2× 6 × 8 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 55)
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆 𝑎2=𝑐 2+𝑏2− 2𝑐𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths
Find .

b
4 cm
a𝑥
65°
7 cm c
A

𝑥 2=4 2+7 2−(2 × 4 ×7 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 65)

𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths YOUR TURN
Find . Find .

b
4 cm b
a𝑥 𝑥 4 cm
a
65° 50°
A A
7 cm c
c 9 cm

𝑥 2=4 2+7 2−(2 × 4 ×7 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 65)

𝑥 2=4 2+9 2−(2 × 4 × 9 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 50)
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths YOUR TURN
Find . Find .

b A
4 cm c
a𝑥 5 cm 80° 3 cm
65° b
7 cm c
A
a 𝑥
𝑥 2=4 2+7 2−(2 × 4 ×7 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 65)
𝑥 2=3 2+5 2−(2 ×3 × 5 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 80)
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths YOUR TURN
Find . Find .

b A
4 cm
a𝑥 c 8 cm
5 cm
65° 95° b
7 cm c
A
𝑥a
𝑥 2=4 2+7 2−(2 × 4 ×7 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 65)
𝑥 2=8 2+5 2 −(2 × 8 ×5 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 95)
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴

Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Lengths YOUR TURN
Find . Find .

b A
a𝑥 4 cm c
8 cm 85° 𝑥b
65°
7 cm c
A
13 cm
a
𝑥 2=4 2+7 2−(2 × 4 ×7 ×𝑐𝑜𝑠 65)
𝑥2= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
Not the included angle!
𝑥=√ 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ cm

Sine Rule (×2)

𝑎2=𝑏2+𝑐 2− 2𝑏𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐴
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles
Find .

b
6 cm
3 cm
a 𝑥
4 cm c A

6 2+ 4 2 −3 2
cos 𝑥=
2 ×6 ×4

cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 26.4 °

𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles
Find .
a
5 cm
b
7 cm
𝑥
8 cm c A

7 2+8 2 −5 2
cos 𝑥=
2 ×7 × 8

cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆
𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 38.2 °

𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles
Find .
a
5 cm
b Does it matter which side we call b,
7 cm
𝑥 and which side we call c?
8 cm c A
𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
7 2+8 2 −5 2 cos 𝐴=
cos 𝑥= 2𝑏𝑐
2 ×7 × 8

cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆 𝑐 2+𝑏 2− 𝑎2

cos 𝐴=
2 𝑐𝑏
𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 38.2 °

𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles YOUR TURN
Find . Find .
a b
5 cm a
b 8 cm
5 cm
7 cm
𝑥
𝑥
8 cm c A A
10 cm
c
7 2+8 2 −5 2
cos 𝑥=
2 ×7 × 8
8 2+10 2 −5 2
cos 𝑥=
cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆 2 ×8 × 10

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 38.2 ° cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 29.7 °
𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles YOUR TURN
Find . Find .
a
5 cm a
b 12 cm 10 cm
7 cm
𝑥 c
A
𝑥
8 cm c A
6 cm
b
7 2+8 2 −5 2
cos 𝑥=
2 ×7 × 8
6 2+12 2 −10 2
cos 𝑥=
cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆 2 ×6 × 12

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 38.2 ° cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 56.3 °
𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute
DEMO The Cosine Rule: Angles YOUR TURN
Find . Find .
a 15 cm a
5 cm
b
7 cm
𝑥 b
𝑥 9 cm
A 11 cm
8 cm c c
A
7 2+8 2 −5 2
cos 𝑥=
2 ×7 × 8
9 2+11 2− 15 2
cos 𝑥=
cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆 2 ×9 × 11

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 38.2 ° cos 𝑥= 𝐴𝑁𝑆

𝑥=cos −1 𝐴𝑁𝑆=¿ 96.7 °
𝑏 2+𝑐 2− 𝑎2
cos 𝐴=
2𝑏𝑐
Label
Write & Substitute