Chapter 7 Applications of Trigonometry

Section 7.1- Oblique Triangles and the Law of Sines

To solve one of these triangles, we need to know the length of at least one
side and one of the following three:

Two angle measures

One angle measure and another side length
The other two side lengths

This requirement creates four possible situations:

1. One side and two angles Either ASA or AAS

2. Two sides and an opposite angle SSA
3. Two sides and an angle between them SAS
4. All three sides SSS

The Law of Sines

To derive the Law of Sines, we will use an acute triangle.

The Law of Sines

For a triangle with side lengths of a, b, and c and opposite angle measures

, , and  the following is true:

Case 1: Two angles and one side are given.

Example 1: Suppose we are given that  = 130,  = 20, and  =

14 . Solve the triangle.
Example 2: (Case 1) Suppose we are given that  = 32,
= 80, and  =
17 . Solve the triangle. (We may only set up and talk about how we would
solve this triangle)

Case 2: Two sides and one opposite angle are given.

This is what is called the Ambiguous Case as knowing just two sides and
one angle could create a variety of different possibilities as far as solutions
go. Keep in mind that =  

When the Given Angle
is Acute and the lengths of sides a and b are
known
Condition Picture Solutions
0
  1

=
 = 1


0    1
 
0    1

When the Given Angle
is Obtuse


 1


0    1

Example 3: Solve the triangle  = 13,  = 26, and
= 120.

Example 4: (Case 2) Solve the triangle  = 111,  = 80, and
= 25.

Example 5: (Case 2) Solve the triangle  = 4.6m,  = 5m, and  = 70.