Law of Sines Lesson Plan

Objectives: Students will create a proof for the Law of Sines and use the law to solve problems
involving non-right triangles.
Entry Characteristics: Students will have already used trigonometry to solve problems involving
right triangles.
Procedures:
I. Introduction: We will be proving the Law of Sines and learning how to use it to solve
interesting problems involving non-right triangles.
II. Explain how we will be discovering the formula for the Law of Sines through our
previous knowledge about trigonometry and right triangles.
III. Hand out Activity Sheet.
IV. Work through the steps with the class.
Proof (Activity Sheet):
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)

Sketch an altitude from Vertex C and label x

Using right angle trigonometry, write an equation for SinA and SinB.
Solve each equation for x.
Set the equations equal to each other. (Since they are both equal to x)
Divide each side of the equation by a, then divide each side of the equation by b.
What ratios have we created? We proved the Law of Sines.

V. Reveal the formula for and explain when to use the Law of Sines and have students apply
the law to a problem involving a non-right triangle.
VI. Homework will include non-right triangles with missing sides and angles. Students will
have to use the Law of Sines to find the missing measurements.
Resources and Materials: Activity Sheet, Formula sheet, Word Problem Sheet, Homework
Sheet, Graphing Calculator
Follow-up: Students will be given problems with non-right triangles and have to find missing
lengths and angles.
Modifications: Pair lower-level learners with higher-level learners.
CCSSM: HS.G-SRT.10- (+) Prove the Law of Sines and Cosines and use them to solve
problems.

SCRIPT

The Law of Sines

I.

Introduce lesson referring to students previous knowledge of using trigonometry in

right triangles: Today we will be learning about the Law of Sines; but I am not
going to show you the formula. We are going to get it ourselves using what we
already know about trigonometry and right triangles.

II.

Hand out Activity Sheet and walk the class through the steps. Display sheet on the
projector. Fill out sheet/demonstrate along with class. Have the class discover the
Law of Sines through their own work.

III.

Proof (Activity Sheet):

Sketch an altitude from Vertex C and label x. Altitudes are drawn from the
vertex to the opposite side, forming a 90 degree angle.
Have the class set up an equation for SinA and SinB using what they already
know about trigonometry and right triangles. Remind: Sin=Opp/Hyp
Solve for x in each equation. Help where needed.
Set both equations equal to each other. Explain: Since they are both equal to x,
they will be equal to each other.
Divide each side of the equation by a, then divide each side of the equation by b.
Walk class through this.
What ratios have we created? What would happen if we completed the same
steps with an altitude sketched from a different vertex? Lead class to Law of
Sines.

1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)

IV.

Reveal formula sheet. Explain the relationship between sides and angles.

V.

Provide word problem involving non-right triangle. Use Law of Sines to solve.
Have students work with partner. Call student to the board to illustrate
problem.

VI.

Hand out homework.

Activity: Law of Sines Proof

Name_____________________

1.) Sketch an altitude from Vertex C. Label the altitude x.

2.) Using right triangle trigonometry, write an equation for the following:
SinA=________

SinB=________

3.) Solve each equation for x.

4.) Set the equations equal to each other.
5.) Divide each side of the equation by a, then divide each side of the equation by b.
6.) What ratios have we created? What would happen if we completed the same steps with
an altitude sketched from a different vertex?
***You have just proven the Law of Sines.***

Tim wants to measure the height of a tree. He walks exactly 100

feet from the base of the tree and looks up. The angle from the
ground to the top of the tree is 33. This particular tree grows at
an angle of 83 with respect to the ground rather than vertically
(90). How tall is the tree to the nearest foot? Draw a diagram.

Law of Sines Homework

Name_____________________

Ms. Annunziata

1.)

In
, m<B = 80,
m<C = 34 and a = 16.
Find the length of b to the nearest
tenth.

2.)
In
, m<R = 105, r = 12,
and t =10. Find the m<S, to the nearest
degree.

3.)

Points A & B are on one side of a river, 100'

apart, with C on the opposite side. The
angles A and B measure 70 and 60
respectively. What is the distance from
point A to point C, to the nearest foot?