Section 4: Sine And Cosine Rule

Introduction
This section will cover how to:

Use the Sine Rule to find unknown sides and angles

Use the Cosine Rule to find unknown sides and angles

Combine trigonometry skills to solve problems

Each topic is introduced with a theory section including examples and then some practice
questions. At the end of the page there is an exercise where you can test your understanding
of all the topics covered in this page.
You are allowed to use calculators in this topic.
All answers should be given to 3 significant figures unless otherwise stated.

Formulae You Should Know

You should already know each of the following formulae:

formulae for rightangled triangles

formulae for all triangl

es
NOTE: The only formula above which is in the A Level Maths formula book is the one
highlighted in yellow.
You must learn these formulae, and then try to complete this page without referring to
the table above.

Sine Rule
The Sine Rule can be used in any triangle (not just right-angled triangles) where a side and its
opposite angle are known.
Finding Sides
If you need to find the length of a side, you need to use the version of the Sine Rule where
the lengths are on the top:
a
sin(A)

b
sin(B)

You will only ever need two parts of the Sine Rule formula, not all three.
You will need to know at least one pair of a side with its opposite angle to use the Sine
Rule.
Finding Sides Example
Work out the length of x in the diagram below:

Step
1

Step
2

Start by writing out the Sine Rule formula for finding sides:
a
sin(A)

b
sin(B)

Fill in the values you know, and the unknown length:

x
sin(80)

7
sin(60)

Remember that each fraction in the Sine Rule formula should contain a side and its
opposite angle.
Step
3

Solve the resulting equation to find the unknown side, giving your answer to 3
significant figures:
x
sin(80)

7
sin(60)
(multiply by sin(80) on both sides)
7
x =
sin(80)
sin(60)
x = 7.96 (accurate to 3 significant figures)
=

Note that you should try and keep full accuracy until the end of your calculation to
avoid errors.
Finding Angles
If you need to find the size of an angle, you need to use the version of the Sine Rule where
the angles are on the top:
sin(A)
a

sin(B)
b

As before, you will only need two parts of the Sine Rule , and you still need at least a side
and its opposite angle.
Finding Angles Example
Work out angle m in the diagram below:

Step 1 Start by writing out the Sine Rule formula for finding angles:
sin(A)
a

sin(B)
b

Step 2 Fill in the values you know, and the unknown angle:
sin(m)
8

sin(75)
10

Remember that each fraction in the Sine Rule formula should contain a side and its
opposite angle.
Step 3 Solve the resulting equation to find the sine of the unknown angle:
sin(m)
8

sin(75)
10
(multiply by 8 on both sides)
sin(75)
sin(m) =
8
10
sin(m) = 0.773 (3 significant figures)
=

Step 4 Use the inverse-sine function (sin1) to find the angle:

m

sin1(0.773) = 50.6 (3sf)

Other Notes
You may be aware that sometimes Sine Rule questions can have two solutions (only when
you are finding angles) you do not need to know about these additional solutions at this
time but you will learn more about them next year.
Practice Questions
Work out the answer to each question then click on the button marked
to see if you are correct.
(a) Find the missing side in the diagram below:

(b) Find the missing angle in the diagram below:

Cosine Rule
The Cosine Rule can be used in any triangle where you are trying to relate all three sides to
one angle.
Finding Sides
If you need to find the length of a side, you need to know the other two sides and the
opposite angle.
You need to use the version of the Cosine Rule where a2 is the subject of the formula:
a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos(A)
Side a is the one you are trying to find. Sides b and c are the other two sides, and angle A is
the angle opposite sidea.
Finding Sides Example
Work out the length of x in the diagram below:

Step
1

Start by writing out the Cosine Rule formula for finding sides:

Step
2

Fill in the values you know, and the unknown length:

a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos(A)

x2 = 222 + 282 22228cos(97)

It doesn't matter which way around you put sides b and c it will work both ways.

Step
3

Evaluate the right-hand-side and then square-root to find the length:

x2 = 222 + 282 22228cos(97)
(evaluate the right hand side)
2
x = 1418.143.....
(square-root both sides)
x = 37.7 (accurate to 3 significant figures)
As with the Sine Rule you should try and keep full accuracy until the end of your
calculation to avoid errors.

Finding Angles
If you need to find the size of an angle, you need to use the version of the Cosine Rule
where the cos(A) is on the left:
cos(A)

b2 + c2 a2
2bc

It is very important to get the terms on the top in the correct order; b and c are either side of
angle A which you are trying to find and these can be either way around, but side a must be
the side opposite angle A.
Finding Angles Example
Work out angle P in the diagram below:

Step 1 Start by writing out the Cosine Rule formula for finding angles:
cos(A)

b2 + c2 a2
2bc

Step 2 Fill in the values you know, and the unknown length:
cos(P)

52 + 82 72
258

Remember to make sure that the terms on top of the fraction are in the correct
order.
Step 3 Evaluate the right-hand-side and then use inverse-cosine (cos1) to find the angle:
52 + 82 72
258
(evaluate the right-hand side)
cos(P) = 0.5
(do the inverse-cosine of both sides)
P = cos1(0.5) = 60 (3sf)
cos(P)

Other Notes
If you know two sides and an angle which is not inbetween them then you can use the
Cosine Rule to find the other side, but it is easier to use the Sine Rule in this situation you
should always use the Sine Rule if you have an angle and its opposite side.
Practice Questions
Work out the answer to each question then click on the button marked
to see if you are correct.
(a) Find the missing side in the diagram below:

(b) Find the missing angle in the diagram below:

Combining Trigonometry Skills

Choosing The Appropriate Technique
Sometimes more than one technique from the formula table at the top of this page can be
used to solve a trig problem, but you will want to choose the most efficient and easiest
method to save time. The flowchart below shows how to decide which method to use:

Examples
These examples illustrate the decision-making process for a variety of triangles:

e.g.
1

1. The triangle is not rightangled.

2. We do know a side and its
opposite angle.
3. Therefore we use the Sine
Rule.

e.g.
2

1. The triangle is right-angled.

2. The question involves
angles.
3. Therefore we use trig ratios sin, cos and tan.

e.g.
3

1. The triangle is right-angled.

2. The question does not
involve angles.
3. Therefore we use
Pythagoras's Theorem.

e.g.
4

1. The triangle is not rightangled.

2. We do not know a side and
its opposite angle.
3. Therefore we use the Cosine
Rule.

(a)

x
=

y
=

z
=
(b)

x
=

y
=

z
=

(c)

x
=

y
=

z
=

(d)

x
=

y
=

z
=
(e)

x
=

y
=

z
=
(f)

x
=

y
=

z
=

(g)

x
=

y
=

z
=

(h)

x
=

y
( definitely not to scale! )

z
=

Bearings
A bearing is an angle, measured clockwise from the north direction. Below, the bearing
of B from A is 025 degrees (note 3 figures are always given). The bearing of A from B is
205 degrees.

Example
A, B and C are three ships. The bearing of A from B is 045. The bearing of C from A is
135. If AB= 8km and AC= 6km, what is the bearing of B from C?

tanC = 8/6, so C = 53.13

y = 180 - 135 = 45 (interior angles)

x = 360 - 53.13 - 45 (angles round a point)

= 262 (to the nearest whole number)

Angle of Depression Definition

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Angle of depression is an angle between horizontal line and view the object from the
horizontal line. Mainly, it is used for obtaining the distance of the two objects where
we only know their angle and an object's distance from the ground. Angles of depression
is an angle that is formed with the horizontal, if the line of sight is downward from the horizontal, the
angle is an angle of depression.
If the object is below the level of the observer, then the angle between the horizontal and the
observer's line of sight is called the angle of depression. In this figure, is the angle of depression.

Angle of Depression Formula

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With angles of elevation, if two of the sides of the right triangle are known, then formula for the angle
of depression is given as below:

tantan = Opposite SideAdjacent SideOpposite

SideAdjacent Side

In the above figure, ABO = Angle of elevation and O = Angle of depression.

Angle of Depression Problems

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If two of the sides of the right triangle are known, one can easily solve for an angle of depression. Let
us see with the help of an example for finding the angle of depression.

Solved Example
Question: Solve for x.

Solution:
Angle of depression = 34o
But B = O (alternate angles)
therefore, B = 34o
From triangle ABO, we have
tan 34o =

40x40x

=> 0.6745 =

40x40x

=> 0.6745 x = 40
=> x = 400.6745400.6745
=> x = 59.30

Angle of Depression Word Problems

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Given below are some of the word problems based on angle of depression.

Solved Examples
Question 1: The angle of depression of a vehicle on the ground from the top of a tower is 60. If the
vehicle is at a distance of 100 meters away from the building, find the height of the tower.
Solution:

The above diagram is shown for question. In that, R is a vehicle.

PQ is the height of the tower.
RQ is the distance between the tower and the vehicle.
PS is the line of sight.
Step 1:
Angle of depression, SPR = 60 degree.
Angle of elevation, QRP = Angle of depression, SPR = 60 degree.
Step 2:
In right angled triangle PQR, we know that, QR = 100 m, R = 60, PQ = h m
Let R = = 60
Step 3:
In trigonometry, we know that,

tantan = Opposite sideAdjacent sideOpposite

Tan 60 = PQRQPQRQ = h100h100.

Apply cross multiplication,

sideAdjacent side

h = 100 * tan 60
h = 173.20
The Height of the tower from ground is 173.20 meter.

Angle of Elevation Definition

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Angle of elevation is an angle that is formed with the horizontal. If the line of sight is upward from the
horizontal, the angle is an angle of elevation. In other words, the angle above horizontal that an
observer must look to see an object that is higher than the observer is called angle of elevation. In this
figure, is the angle of elevation.

Angle of Elevation Formula

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The formula for finding the angle of elevation is depending on knowing the information for opposite,
hypotenuse, and adjacent to the right angle. If the distance from the object and height of object is
given, then the formula for the angle of elevation is given by:
Tangent of angle of elevation =

Height of objectDistance from object

Angle of Elevation Problems

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Given below are some of the examples in finding the angle of elevation.

Solved Examples
Question 1: From the figure, find the value of .

Solution:
In triangle ABC, AC = 335 ft and BC = 249.
Find A =
Now tantan =

249335249335

= .74(approx)

= arc tan(.74)
= 36

= 36.
Question 2: In right triangle ABC, if C = 90o, A = 45o and AC = 21. Find the value of BC.

Solution:

Given C = 90o, A = 45o and AC = 21.

Now, tan A =
tan 45o =

1=

BCACBCAC

BC21BC21

BC21BC21

[tan 45o = 1]
BC = 1 * 21
BC = 21.

Angle of Elevation Word Problems

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Given below are some of the word problems on angle of elevation.

Solved Examples
Question 1:
A girl is sitting in the shade under a tree that is 90 ft from the base of a tower. The angle of elevation
from the girl to the top of the tower is 35 degrees. Find the height of the windmill.

Solution:

The girl is 90 feet from the tower

The angle of elevation from the girl to the tower is 35 0

Step
Here, we want to solve and find the height of the tower.
Recall the trigonometric formulas.
The angle and the adjacent side length is given.
So, use the formula of tan is
tan 350 = Opposite sideAdjacent sideOpposite
tan350 = h90h90
h = 90 * tan 350
h = 90 * 0.4738
h = 42.64 feet
Thus, the height of the tower is 42.64 feet.

sideAdjacent side

1: