By Amber Wolfe and Savannah Guenther
Introduction
Equation Use the equation below for non-right triangles given (side-angle-side) or (side-side-side) to solve for either an angle or a side.
Example 1 Solving a triangle (SAS) Given ABC, a=11, b=5, C=20 c 2 = a 2 + b 2 – 2ab cos C = (11)(5) cos(20) = c = √ = 6.5 A CB
Example 2 Solving a triangle (SSS) Given ABC, a=9, b=7, c=5 a 2 = b 2 + c 2 – 2bc cos A (7)(5) cos A 70 cos A = -7 A = cos -1 (-0.1) = 95.7 b 2 = a 2 + c 2 – 2ac cos B 7 2 = – 2(9)(5) cos B 90 cos B = 57 B = cos -1 (57/90) = 50.7 Then C = 180 – 95.7 – 50.7 = 33.6 A 57 9 CB
References Precalculus math book Test #4 Practice Quiz