LAW OF COSINE

Derivation
(x,y)
B
a

c
h
A

C
x

b-x

(a,0)

From the right triangle to the left

cos =

2 = 2 + 2

= cos

(1)

2 = 2 2

(2)

From the right triangle to the right

2 = 2 + ( )2
2 = 2 + 2 2 + 2

(3)

Substitute equation (2) to equation (3)

2 = 2 2 + 2 2 + 2
2 = 2 + 2 2

(4)

Substitute equation (1) to (4)

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
Therefore
2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 = 2 + 2 2 cos

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

CASE III: Two side and the included angle given

Problem 1
Solve the unknown side and angles of a triangle for which a = 25, b = 30 and C = 50.
Find
c=?
A=?
B=?
Solution
2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 = 252 + 302 2(25)(30) cos 50
2 = 560.82
= 23.68

Using sine law

=
sin
sin
25
23.68
=
sin
sin 50
sin =

(25) sin 50
23.68

sin = 0.8087
= sin1(0.8087 )
1 = 53.970
2 = 1800 1 = 1800 53.970 = 126.03
Since the side is the second lowest side, therefore its opposite angle must be acute.
= 53.97

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

Using sine law

=
sin
sin
30
23.68
=
sin
sin 50
sin =

(30) sin 50
23.68

sin = 0.9705
= sin1(09705 )
1 = 76.05
2 = 1800 1 = 1800 76.050 = 103.95
Since side is the largest side, adding the acute angle 1 to the angles and will give 180.
= 76.050
Checking
+ + = 180
53.970 + 76.050 + 500 = 1800

()

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

CASE IV: Three sides given

Problem 2
Solve the unknown angles of a triangle for which a = 5, b = 6 and c = 9.
Find
A=?
B=?
C=?
Solution
2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 cos = 2 + 2 2
cos =

2 + 2 2
2

cos =

62 + 92 5 2
2(6)(9)

cos = 0.85185
= cos1 (0.85185 )
= 31.59

Using Cosine Law

(Sine Law can also be used)

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 cos = 2 + 2 2
cos =

2 + 2 2
2

cos =

52 + 92 6 2
2(5)(9)

cos = 0.7777
= cos 1(0.7777 )
= 38.94

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

Using Cosine Law

(Sine Law can also be used)

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2 cos = 2 + 2 2
cos =

2 + 2 2
2

cos =

52 + 62 9 2
2(5)(6)

cos = 0.3333
= cos 1 (0.3333 )
= 109.47

Checking
+ + = 180
31.590 + 38.940 + 109.470 = 1800

()

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

CASE II: Given two side and one opposite angle

(Possible triangle/s can be formed)

A. Two Possible Triangles

Problem 3
Solve for the possible side/s c of a triangle for which:
a = 25.2
b = 30.5

A = 54.2

Solution: Using Cosine Law

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
25.22 = 30.52 + 2 2(30.5) cos 54.2
0 = 30.52 25.22 + 2 2(30.5) cos 54.2
2 35.68 + 295.21 = 0
Using quadratic formula
=

2 4
2

=1

1 =

= 35.68

= 295.21

(35.68) + (35.68)2 4(1)(295.21)

2(1)

1 = +22.64

2 =

(35.68) (35.68)2 4(1)(295.21)

2(1)

2 = +13.04
Since there are two positive real roots, thus there are two possible sides of c.
Therefore, two triangles can be formed.
Use cosine law (or sine law) to solve for the possible angles B & C for side c = 22.64 and possible angles
B & C for side c = 13.04.

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

B. One Possible Triangle

Problem 4
Solve for the possible side/s c of a triangle for which:
a = 5.21
b = 3.06

A = 47.6

Solution: Using Cosine Law

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
5.212 = 3.062 + 2 2(3.06) cos 47.6
0 = 3.062 5.212 + 2 2(3.06) cos 47.6
2 4.13 17.78 = 0
Using quadratic formula
=

2 4
2

=1

1 =

= 4.13

= 17.78

(4.13) + (4.13)2 4(1)(17.78)

2(1)

1 = +6.76

2 =

(4.13) (4.13)2 4(1)(17.78)

2(1)

2 = 2.63
Since there is only one positive real root, thus there is only one possible side of c.
Therefore, one triangle can be formed.
Use cosine law/sine law to solve for the possible angles B and C for side c = 6.67.

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University

C. No Possible Triangle
Problem 5
Solve for the possible side/s c of a triangle for which:
a = 2.30
b = 4.50

A = 42

Solution: Using Cosine Law

2 = 2 + 2 2 cos
2.32 = 4.52 + 2 2(4.5) cos 42
0 = 4.52 2.32 + 2 2(4.5) cos 42
2 6.69 + 14.96 = 0
Using quadratic formula
=

2 4
2

=1

= 6.69

= +14.96

1 =

(6.69) + (6.69)2 4(1)(+14.96)

2(1)

1 =

6.69 + 15.08
6.69 + 15.08(1)
6.69 + 3.87
=
=
2
2
2

1 = 3.35 + 1.97

()

2 =

(6.69) (6.69)2 4(1)(+14.96)

2(1)

2 =

6.69 15.08
6.69 15.08(1) 6.69 3.87
=
=
2
2
2

2 = 3.35 1.97

()

Since there is no positive real root, thus there is no possible side of c.

Therefore, no triangle can be formed.

ENGR. RYAN M. LAYUG

Instructor I - Tarlac State University