MATH04

Pre-Calculus
Course Outcome 4
Lesson 3: Law of Sines

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
There are many applications of trigonometry that involves oblique triangles or
triangles that do not have a 90° angle.
For example, supposed that a trolley carries passengers from ground level up to the
mountain chateau, as shown in the figure. Assuming that the cable could be held
stiff, what is its approximate length?

23° 67°
2000 𝑚

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B

Solving a triangle involves finding the lengths of all sides and the
measures of all angles in the triangle.

In this lesson, we will discuss the solutions of oblique triangles, which

are triangles that does not contain a right angle.

There are two laws we can use in solving oblique triangles, the Law of
Sines and Law of Cosines.

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Law of Sines can be used to solve oblique triangles in which either two
angles and a side are known or two sides and an angle opposite one
the sides are known.

Law of Cosines can be used to solve oblique triangles in which two

sides and the included angle are known or in which three sides are
known.

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Solution of oblique triangles involves four cases, namely:

1. Two angles and one side are given.

2. Two sides and the angle opposite one of the sides are given.
3. Two sides and the angle between those sides are given.
4. Three sides are given.

Note:
The Law of Sines is applicable for the first two cases and the Law of
Cosines for the last two cases.

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Law of Sine
Let 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be an oblique triangle with sides 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 opposite their
respective angles as shown in the figure below. If an altitude ℎ is drawn
to the base, we can write the following relationship:
𝐶
ℎ ℎ
sin 𝐴 = sin 𝐵 =
𝑏 𝑎
𝑏 𝑎
ℎ
ℎ = 𝑏 sin 𝐴 ℎ = 𝑎 sin 𝐵

𝐴 𝐵
𝑐

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Law of Sine
𝑏 sin 𝐴 = 𝑎 sin 𝐵 Equate the two expression for ℎ
𝑎 𝑏
= Divide both sides of the equation by sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

Similarly, if we draw an altitude from angle 𝐴 to side 𝑎, we can derive the following
expression:

𝑐 𝑏
=
sin 𝐶 sin 𝐵

Combining these two results gives the Law of Sines, summarized as follows.

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Law of Sine

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= =
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
The Law of Sines may also be written as,

sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶

= =
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Case I: Two angles and one side are given.

Solve the Δ𝐴𝐵𝐶given the following measurements.

1. 𝐴 = 51.3° 𝐵 = 48.7° 𝑎 = 24.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
2. 𝐴 = 41° 𝐵 = 57° 𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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 EXAMPLES
1. 𝐴 = 51.3°, 𝐵 = 48.7°, 𝑎 = 24.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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 EXAMPLES
1. 𝐴 = 51.3°, 𝐵 = 48.7°, 𝐴 = 25 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑏
=
𝐵 sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
𝑎 sin 𝐵
𝑏=
sin 𝐴
48.7° 24.5 sin 48.7
𝑎 = 24.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏=
sin 51.3

51.3° 𝐶
By Calculator Method:
𝑏 = 23.58 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑏 = 23.58 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝐴

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 EXAMPLES
1. 𝐴 = 51.3°, 𝐵 = 48.7°, 𝐴 = 25 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle Recall:
looks like this, Sum of Interior Angles ∆ = 180°
𝐵
𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180
𝐶 = 180 − 𝐴 − 𝐵
𝐶 = 180 − 51.3 − 48.7
48.7°
𝑎 = 24.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐶 = 80°

80°
51.3° 𝐶
𝐴 𝑏 = 23.58 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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 EXAMPLES
1. 𝐴 = 51.3°, 𝐵 = 48.7°, 𝐴 = 25 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑐
=
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶
𝐵 𝑎 sin 𝐶
𝑐=
sin 𝐴
48.7° 24.5 sin 80
𝑎 = 24.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑐=
𝑐 = 30.92 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 sin 51.3
80° By Calculator Method:
51.3° 𝐶
𝑐 = 30.92 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝐴 𝑏 = 23.58 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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 EXAMPLES
2. 𝐴 = 41°, 𝐵 = 57°, 𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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 EXAMPLES
2. 𝐴 = 41°, 𝐵 = 57°, 𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle Sum of Interior Angles of ∆= 180
looks like this, 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180
𝐵
𝐶 = 180 − 41 + 57
𝐶 = 82
57°

𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

41° 82° 𝐶
𝐴

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 EXAMPLES
2. 𝐴 = 41°, 𝐵 = 57°, 𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑐
=
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐶
𝐵 𝑐 sin 𝐴
𝑎=
sin 𝐶
57° 52 sin 41
𝑎 = 34.45 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑎=
𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 sin 82
𝑎 = 34.45 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

41° 82° 𝐶
𝐴

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 EXAMPLES
2. 𝐴 = 41°, 𝐵 = 57°, 𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑏 𝑐
=
𝐵 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
𝑐 sin 𝐵
𝑏=
sin 𝐶
57° 52 sin 57
𝑎 = 34.45 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑏=
𝑐 = 52 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 sin 82
𝑏 = 44.04 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
41° 82° 𝐶
𝐴
𝑏 = 44.04 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
Case II: Two sides and the angle opposite one of the sides are given.
(AMBIGUOUS CASE)
When two sides and the angle opposite one of them are given, there
may be no, one, or two solutions to the triangle. For this reason, Case II
is called the ambiguous case. The following are the summary of the
possible situations.

This interactive video shows the ambiguous case.

https://www.geogebra.org/m/CvtkyRM5

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
I. If 𝐴 is an acute angle and 𝑎 < 𝑏, there are four possible situations.
𝐶
𝐶
𝑎
𝑏
𝑏 𝑎
ℎ
𝐶 𝐴 𝐵 𝐶
𝑐
𝐴 3.) One Triangle
1.) No Triangle 𝑏
𝑏 𝑎 𝑎
𝑎=ℎ ℎ

𝐴 𝐵
𝐴 𝑐 𝐵 𝐵’
2.) One Triangle 4.) Two Triangles

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COURSE OUTCOME 4B
II. If 𝐴 is an obtuse angle, then there are two possible situations.

𝐶 𝐶

𝑎 𝑎
𝑏 𝑏

𝐵
𝐴 𝐴 𝑐
1.) No Triangle 2.) One Triangle

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 EXAMPLES
Determine how many solutions exist. When either one or two solutions
exist, solve the triangle or triangles.

1.Triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶: 𝐴 = 67° 𝑎 = 18 𝑏 = 20

2.Triangle 𝐷𝐸𝐹 : 𝐷 = 32° 𝑑 = 7 𝑒 = 10
3.Triangle 𝑋𝑌𝑍: 𝑋 = 108° 𝑥 = 54 𝑦 = 51

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 EXAMPLES
1.) Triangle ABC: 𝐴 = 67°, 𝑎 = 18, 𝑏 = 20

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 EXAMPLES
1.) Triangle ABC: 𝐴 = 67°, 𝑎 = 18, 𝑏 = 20
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑎 𝑏
=
sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
𝐵 𝑏 sin 𝐴
sin 𝐵 =
𝑎
𝑎 = 18 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
20 sin 67
sin 𝐵 =
18
67° sin 𝐵 = 1.023
𝐴
𝑏 = 20 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐶 𝐵 = sin−1 1.023

𝐵 = 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 1.023 > 1

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 EXAMPLES
1.) Triangle ABC: 𝐴 = 67°, 𝑎 = 18, 𝑏 = 20
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝐵 = 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 1.023 > 1
𝐵
No Triangle formed or No Solution.

𝑎 = 18 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

67°
𝐴

𝑏 = 20 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝐶

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑑 𝑒
=
sin 𝐷 sin 𝐸
𝐸 𝑒 sin 𝐷
sin 𝐸 =
𝑑
49.20° 10 sin 32
sin 𝐸 =
𝑑=7
7
sin 𝐸 = 0.7570
32° 𝐸 = sin−1 0.7570
𝐷
𝑒 = 10 𝐹 𝐸 = 49.20°

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Solution: Assuming that the triangle Sum of Interior Angles of ∆= 180
looks like this, 𝐷 + 𝐸 + 𝐹 = 180
𝐹 = 180 − 32 + 49.20
𝐸 𝐹 = 98.80°

49.20°

𝑑=7

𝐹 = 98.80°
32°
𝐷
𝑒 = 10 𝐹

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑑 𝑓
=
sin 𝐷 sin 𝐹
𝐸 𝑑 sin 𝐹
𝑓=
sin 𝐷
49.20° 7 sin 98.80°
𝑓 = 13.05 𝑓=
𝑑=7
sin 32
𝑓 = 13.05 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝐹 = 98.80°
32°
𝐷
𝑒 = 10 𝐹

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Now, let us try to check if there is
According to the Trigonometric
another triangle to be formed.
Functions in any angle,
Use the property:
sin 49.20° = sin 130.80°
sin 𝑥 = sin(180° − 𝑥)
Since the first angle that we will get is
∠𝐸 = 49.20°, we can note that…

130.80°

49.20° 49.20°

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Now, let us try to check if there is
According to the Trigonometric
another triangle to be formed.
Functions in any angle,
Use the property:
sin 49.20 = sin 130.80
sin 𝑥 = sin(180° − 𝑥)
Since the first angle that we will get is
Sum of Interior Angles of ∆= 180
∠𝐸 = 49.20, we can note that…
𝐷 + 𝐸 + 𝐹 = 180
130.80
𝐹 = 180 − 32 + 130.80
𝐹 = 17.20°
49.20 49.20
∴ There is a second triangle.

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Assuming @ 2nd triangle, According to the Trigonometric
Functions in any angle,
sin 49.20 = sin 130.80
𝐷 𝑒 = 10
32° 17.20 𝐹
Sum of Interior Angles of ∆= 180
𝑑=7
𝐷 + 𝐸 + 𝐹 = 180
130.80° 𝐹 = 180 − 32 + 130.80
𝐹 = 17.20°
𝐸

∴ There is a second triangle.

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Assuming @ 2nd triangle, By Sine Law,
𝑑 𝑓
=
𝑒 = 10
sin 𝐷 sin 𝐹
𝐷 𝑑 sin 𝐹
32° 17.20 𝐹 𝑓=
sin 𝐷
7 sin 17.20
𝑑=7 𝑓=
𝑓 = 3.91 130.80 sin 32
𝑓 = 3.91 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝐸

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 EXAMPLES
2.) Triangle DEF:𝐷 = 32°, 𝑑 = 7 , 𝑒 = 10
Assuming @ 2nd triangle, For Ambiguous Case (Case II) – given an
acute angle, always check the first angle if
it’s corresponding angle in the QII is fitted
𝐷 𝑒 = 10
for the triangle.
32° 17.20 𝐹

𝑑=7
Note: The Angle will be fitted if it doesn’t
𝑓 = 3.91 130.80° violate the rule for the sum of interior
angles.
𝐸

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 EXAMPLES
3.) Triangle XYZ:𝑋 = 108°, 𝑥 = 54,𝑦 = 51

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 EXAMPLES
3.) Triangle XYZ:𝑋 = 108°, 𝑥 = 54,𝑦 = 51
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sine Law,
looks like this, 𝑥 𝑦
=
sin 𝑋 sin 𝑌
𝑌 𝑥 = 54
𝑍 𝑦 sin 𝑋
63.92° sin 𝑌 =
𝑥
51 sin 108
𝑦 = 51 sin 𝑌 =
108° 54
sin 𝑌 = 0.8982
𝑋 𝑌 = sin−1 0.8982
𝑌 = 63.92°

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 EXAMPLES
3.) Triangle XYZ:𝑋 = 108°, 𝑥 = 54,𝑦 = 51
Solution: Assuming that the triangle @QII
looks like this, sin 63.90 = sin 180 − 63.90
sin 63.92 = sin 116.08
𝑌 𝑥 = 54
𝑍
63.92°
By Sum of Interior Angles,
𝑦 = 51
𝑍 = 180 − 116.08 + 108
108° 𝑍 = −44.08
∴ There is no 2nd Triangle.
𝑋

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 EXAMPLES
3.) Triangle XYZ:𝑋 = 108°, 𝑥 = 54,𝑦 = 51
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sum of Interior Angles,
looks like this, 𝑍 = 180 − 63.92 + 108
𝑍 = 8.08°
𝑌 𝑥 = 54
𝑍
63.92° 8.08°
∴ There is only one solution.
𝑦 = 51
108°

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 EXAMPLES
3.) Triangle XYZ:𝑋 = 108°, 𝑥 = 54,𝑦 = 51
Solution: Assuming that the triangle By Sum of Interior Angles,
looks like this, 𝑍 = 180 − 63.92 + 108
𝑍 = 8.08°
𝑌 𝑥 = 54
𝑍
63.92° 8.08°
∴ There is only one solution.
By Sine Law,
𝑧 = 7.98
𝑦 = 51 𝑧 𝑥
108° =
sin 𝑍 sin 𝑋
𝑋 𝑥 sin 𝑍
𝑧=
sin 𝑋
54 sin 8.08
𝑧=
sin 108
𝑧 = 7.98 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
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Area of Triangle using Sine Law
Law of Sine
Let 𝐴𝐵𝐶 be an oblique triangle with sides 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 opposite their
respective angles as shown in the figure below. If an altitude ℎ is drawn
to the base, we can write the following relationship:
𝐶
ℎ ℎ
sin 𝐴 = sin 𝐵 =
𝑏 𝑎
𝑏 𝑎
ℎ
ℎ = 𝑏 sin 𝐴 ℎ = 𝑎 sin 𝐵
1
Since: 𝐴Δ = 𝑏ℎ,
2
1 1
𝐴 𝐵 𝐴Δ = 𝑏𝑐 sin 𝐴 or𝐴Δ = 𝑎𝑐 sin 𝐵
𝑐 2 2
Similarly:
1
𝐴Δ = 𝑎𝑏 sin 𝐶
2

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Some Applications of Ambiguous Case
The planet Venus can be seen with the
naked eye from the Earth. Though the Venus
figure on the right indicates that the
position of Venus is uncertain. Given that 67
the Earth is 93 million miles away from the Venus
67
Sun and Venus is 67 million miles from the Sun
Sun, the determine the shortest and 𝜃 93
farthest distance between the two planets.
Assume that 𝜃 ≈ 18°and the orbits are Earth
roughly circular.

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Some Applications of Ambiguous Case

Venus

67
Venus
67
Sun
𝜃 93

Earth

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 Some Applications of Ambiguous Case
sin 𝐸 sin 𝑉1 Angles Sides (in Angles Sides (in
=
𝑒 𝑣 million million
sin 18° sin 𝑉1 Venus
= miles) miles)
67 93
93 sin 18° 𝐸 = 18° 𝑒 = 67 𝐸 = 18° 𝑒 = 67
sin 𝑉1 = 67
67 𝑉1 = 25.4° 𝑣 = 93 𝑉2 = 154.6° 𝑣 = 93
𝑉1 ≈ 25.4° Venus
𝑆1 = 𝑠1 = 𝑆2 = 𝑠2 = 67
Sun
𝑉2 = 180° − 𝑉1
𝜃 93
𝑉2 = 180° − 25.4°
𝑉2 = 154.6°
Earth

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 Some Applications of Ambiguous Case
sin 𝐸 sin 𝑉1 Angles Sides (in Angles Sides (in
=
𝑒 𝑣 million million
sin 18° sin 𝑉1 Venus
= miles) miles)
67 93
93 sin 18° 𝐸 = 18° 𝑒 = 67 𝐸 = 18° 𝑒 = 67
sin 𝑉1 = 67
67 𝑉1 = 25.4° 𝑣 = 93 𝑉2 = 154.6° 𝑣 = 93
𝑉1 ≈ 25.4° Venus
𝑆1 = 136.6° 𝑠1 = 148.97 𝑆1 = 7.4° 𝑠1 = 27.93 67
Sun
𝑉2 = 180° − 𝑉1
𝜃 93
𝑉2 = 180° − 25.4°
𝑉2 = 154.6°
Earth

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End of Presentation

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