SOLUTION OF TRIANGLES 2.2 Use Cosine Rule to find the unknown sides or angles of a triangle.

a = b + c 2bc cos A b2 = a2 + c2 2ac cos B c2 = a2 + b2 2ab cos C

b2 + c2 a2 cos A = 2bc 2 a + c2 b2 cos B = 2ac 2 a + b2 c2 cos C = 2ab

Task 1 : Find the unknown side of a triangle when two sides and an included angle are given. (1) Diagram 1 shows the triangle PQR such Solution : that PR =12.3 cm , QR =16.4 cm and x 2 = 16.4 2 + 12.3 2 2(16.4)(12.3) cos 67 0 PRQ = 67 . P x cm Q
12.3 cm

= 262.1

x = 262.61
670

16.4 cm

x = 16.21

Diagram 1

Find the value of x. (2) Diagram 2 shows the triangle PQR such that PQ =7 cm, QR =5 cm and PQR = 75 .
R

x cm 750 P

5 cm 5cm Q 7 cm

Diagram 2

Find the value of x.

[ 7.475 ]

(3) Diagram 3 shows a triangle with sides 5 cm , 13 cm and an included angle 43 .

5 cm 430 E 13 cm Diagram 3

x cm

Find the value of x .

[ 9.946 ]

Solutions of Triangles

(4) Diagram 4 shows the triangle PQR. 7 cm C A 0 53 6.3 cm Diagram 4 B Find the length of BC.

[ 5.967 cm ]

(5) Diagram 5 shows the triangle KLM. 5.8 cm K 4 cm Diagram 5 480 L

Find the length of LM.

[ 4.312 cm ]

(6) Diagram 6 shows the triangle PQR.

R 2.23 cm 750 31 P Q 5.40 cm Diagram 6

Find the length of PR.

[ 5.302 cm ]

(7) Diagram 7 shows a triangle with sides 6.21 cm , 10.51 cm and an included angle 360 39 .
6.21cm 360 39 10.51cm Diagram 7 x cm

Find the value of x .

[ 6.656 ]

Solutions of Triangles

Task 2 : Find the unknown angle of a triangle when three sides are given. (1) In Diagram 1, ABC is a triangle where Solution : AB = 13 cm, AC = 14 cm and BC= 15 cm. 13 2 + 14 2 15 2 cos BAC = A 2(13)(14)
13cm 14 cm

=0.3846
C

BAC = 67.38

15 cm

Diagram 1

Find BAC . (2) Diagram 2 shows a triangle ABC where AB = 11 cm, AC = 13 cm and BC= 16 cm.
A 11cm 13 cm C

16 cm

Diagram 2 Find BAC .

[ 83.17]

(3) Diagram 3 shows a triangle ABC where AB = 13 cm, AC = 16 cm and BC = 17.5 cm.
A 13cm 16 cm C

17.5 cm

Diagram 3 Calculate BAC

[ 73.41]

(4) Diagram 4 shows a triangle ABC where AB = 12.67 cm, AC = 16.78 cm and BC= 19.97 cm.
A 16.78 cm

12.67cm

19.97 cm

Diagram 4 Calculate BCA

[39.17]

Solutions of Triangles

10

(5) In Diagram 5, PQR is a triangle such that PR = 6.45 cm, RQ = 2.23 cm and PQ = 5.40 cm.
R 6.45 cm

2.23 cm Q

5.40 cm Diagram 5 Find RQP .

[108.07]

(6) In Diagram 6, PQR is a triangle such that PR = 23.5 cm, RQ = 12.5 cm and PQ= 18.7 cm.
R

23.5 cm P

12.5 cm Q

18.7 cm Diagram 6

Calculate the smallest angle in the triangle.

[31.96]

(7) For triangle ABC in Diagram 7, AB = 8.56 cm, AC = 11.23 cm and BC= 14.51 cm.
A 8.56cm 11.23cm C

14.5 1cm

Diagram 7 Calculate the largest angle in the triangle.

[93.33]

(8) For triangle ABC in Diagram 8, AB = 13 cm, AC = 16 cm and BC= 17.5 cm.
A 13cm 16 cm C

17.5 cm

Diagram 8 Calculate the second largest angle in the triangle. Solutions of Triangles 11

[61.19]

Solutions of Triangles

12