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Unit 1 - Solution of Triangles Notes

This document discusses methods for solving triangles based on given information about sides and angles. It describes trigonometric ratios that relate sides and angles in right triangles. For non-right triangles, it outlines four main methods: 1) the sine rule, 2) equation method, 3) cosine rule, and 4) half angle formulae. Examples are provided to illustrate each method and show how results can be checked using alternative formulae.

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Kutloano Moloi
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21 views

Unit 1 - Solution of Triangles Notes

This document discusses methods for solving triangles based on given information about sides and angles. It describes trigonometric ratios that relate sides and angles in right triangles. For non-right triangles, it outlines four main methods: 1) the sine rule, 2) equation method, 3) cosine rule, and 4) half angle formulae. Examples are provided to illustrate each method and show how results can be checked using alternative formulae.

Uploaded by

Kutloano Moloi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Faculty of Engineering and the

Built Environment

Department of Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying

UNIT 1
Introduction to Surveying
Solution of triangles

Mine Surveying A1
MSVMSA1

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TYPES OF TRIANGLES

• Acute Angled
• Obtuse Angled
• Equilateral / Equiangular
• Scalene
• Isosceles
• Right Angled

TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS

Trig ratios - acute angles. C


Triangle A.B.C. is right-angled at B.

Sin Θ = OPPOSITE SIDE = BC


HYPOTENUSE AC

Cos Θ = ADJACENT SIDE = AB


HYPOTENUSE AC
A Θ 90
B
Tan Θ = OPPOSITE SIDE = BC
ADJACENT SIDE AB

RECIPROCALS

Cosec Θ = HYPOTENUSE = AC = 1
OPPOSITE SIDE BC SIN Θ

Sec Θ = HYPOTENUSE = AC = 1
ADJACENT SIDE AB COS Θ

Cot Θ = ADJACENT SIDE = AB = 1


OPPOSITE SIDE BC TAN Θ

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SOLUTION OF OTHER TRIANGLES

There are four main methods of solving plane triangles other than right-angled triangles.

1. SINE RULE

In order to solve a triangle by sine rule at least two sides and one angle not included by the
two sides are required. The usual form is for three sides and one angle or three angles and
one side to be given.

In triangle A.B.C. A

The Sine rule is:


b c
a = b = c
SIN A SIN B SIN C
C B
a

2. EQUATION METHOD

This method is used to solve a triangle when two sides and the included angle are given.

In triangle A.B.C. (as above) the formula is:

Tan A-B = a-b * Cot C


2 a+b 2

(NB once you have the value of (A - B) the value of (A + B) needs to be brought in as part
of the simultaneous equation)

NB. A being the larger angle and opposite to the larger side.

Having found the difference between angles A and B by the formula and knowing the sum
of angles A and B (180o - C the given angle) the angles A and B can be found.

3. COSINE RULE

This method can be used to solve a triangle when two sides and the included angle are
given. In this method the third side is first calculated and then the angles A and B.

NB. This method can be inaccurate when any of the angles are small and interpolations are
made for differences in logarithmic tables.

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But with the use of calculators this inaccuracy is reduced

The form of the formula is:

a²=b²+c²-2bcCosA

4. HALF ANGLE FORMULA

This method is used when the three sides are given. There are three formulae:

Sin A2 = (s-b)(s-c)
bc

Cos A2 =
2 s(s-a)
bc

Tan A (s-b)(s-c)
2 = s(s-a)

Where s = 1/2 (a + b + c)

The third formula is the most commonly used.

Any triangle calculation can be checked using Mollweide’s Formulae:


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a-b = Sin 2 (A-B)
c 1
Cos 2 C

a+b = Cos 12 (A-B)


c Sin 12 C

As both these formulae involve all six elements of a triangle, they are useful for checking
results.

The formulae are very sensitive to even small changes in lengths of sides or the sizes of angles.

CLASS EXAMPLES

1. Given triangle A.B.C. where:

Side AC = 12,620 metres


Side BC = 18,000 metres
Angle C = 11505'00"

Using the equation method solve the triangle and check your answers by using the sine rule.

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Answer: Angle A = 38:50:06 Angle B = 26:04:54 AB = 25,997m

2. Given triangle P.Q.R. where:

Side RP = 271,450 metres


Side RQ = 147,040 metres
Angle R = 99º28'00"

Using the cosine rule, solve the triangle and check your answers using another method.

Answer: Angle P = 26:07:56 Angle Q = 54:24:04 PQ = 329,295m

3. Given triangle D.E.F. where:

DE = 864,140 metres
EF = 936,890 metres
FD = 679,230 metres

Using the half angle formulae calculate the angles D, E and F and check your answers.
Answer: Angle D = 73:39:24 Angle E = 44:04:54 Angle F = 62:15:41

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Some Useful formulae for the solution of triangles

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