LAW OF SINES:

THE AMBIGUOUS CASE

 Review
Identify if the given oblique triangle can be
solved using the Law of Sines or the Law of
Cosines

1. X = 210, Z = 650 and y = 34.7

Law of Sines

2. s = 73.1, r = 93.67 and T = 650

Law of Cosines

3. a = 78.3, b = 23.5 and c = 36.8

Law of Cosines
Law of Sines: 

The Ambiguous Case

Given:
lengths of two sides
and the angle opposite
one of them (S-S-A)
 AMBIGUOUS
• Open to various
interpretations
• Having double meaning
• Difficult to classify,
distinguish, or
comprehend
Always set your triangle up this way…

Sid
eo
re

pp
h e

os
de
si

ite
ven

he
gi
r

re
e
th
O

Given angle here

Possible Outcomes
Case 1: If θ is acute and the
side opposite the given angle <
the other given side.
C
a. If a < h
C
a
b
a
h = b sin A

b
A B h
c

A B
c

NO SOLUTION
Possible Outcomes
Case 1: If θ is acute and the
side opposite the given angle <
the other given side.
C
b. If a = h
b a C

h = b sin A

b
A B h =a
c

A
c B

1 SOLUTION
Possible Outcomes
Case 1: If θ is acute and the
side opposite the given angle <
the other given side.
C
b. If a > h
C
a
b
h = b sin A

b
A B a h a
c
180 - θ θ θ
A B B
c

2 SOLUTIONS
Possible Outcomes
Case 2: If θ is obtuse and the
side opposite the given angle >
the other given side.

a
b

B
A c

ONE SOLUTION
Possible Outcomes
Case 2: If θ is obtuse and the
side opposite the given angle ≤
the other given side.
C

A
c B

NO SOLUTION
 SUMMARY
θ is acute or θ is obtuse
Side opposite < other side Side opposite > other side
FIND HEIGHT:
h = other side • sin θ 1 Solution

Side opposite < h:

No Solution
Side opposite = h:
1 Solution
Side opposite > h:

2 Solutions
Side opposite > other side Side opposite < other side

1 Solution No Solution
 EXAMPLE 1
Given: ΔABC where

a = 22 inches

b = 12 inches a>b
m∠A > m∠B
SINGLE–SOLUTION CASE

(acute)
m∠A = 42 o

Find m ∠B, m ∠C, and c.

sin A = sin B
a b
Sin B ≈ 0.36498
m∠B = 21.41o or 21o

Sine values of supplementary

angles are equal.

The supplement of ∠B is ∠B2.

∴ m∠B2=159o
m∠C = 180 – (42 + 21 )
o o o

m∠C = 117o
sin A = sin C
a c
c = 29.29 inches

SINGLE–SOLUTION CASE
 EXAMPLE 2
Given: ΔABC where

c = 15 inches
c<b
b = 25 inches
c ? b sin C 15 < 25 sin 85o
NO SOLUTION CASE

m∠C = 85 o (acute)
Find m ∠B, m ∠C, and c.
sin A = sin B
a b
Sin B ≈ 1.66032 m∠B
=?

Sin B > 1 NOT POSSIBLE !

Recall: – 1 ≤ sin θ ≤ 1
NO SOLUTION CASE
 EXAMPLE 3
Given: ΔABC where

b = 15.2 inches
b<a
a = 20 inches
NO SOLUTION CASE

(obtuse)
m∠B = 110 o

Find m ∠B, m ∠C, and c.

sin A = sin B
a b
Sin B ≈ 1.23644 m∠B
=?

Sin B > 1 NOT POSSIBLE !

Recall: – 1 ≤ sin θ ≤ 1
NO SOLUTION CASE
 EXAMPLE 4
Given: ΔABC where

a = 24 inches

b = 36 inches a<b
a ? b sin A 24 > 36 sin 25o
TWO – SOLUTION CASE
(acute)
m∠A = 25 o

Find m ∠B, m ∠C, and c.

sin A = sin B
a b
Sin B ≈ 0.63393
m∠B = 39.34o or 39o

The supplement of ∠B is ∠B2. ∴

m∠B2 = 141 o

m∠C1 = 180o – (25o + 39o) m∠C1

= 116o
m∠C 2 = 180 – (25 +141 )
o o o

m∠C2 = 14o
sin A = sin C
a c1
c1 = 51.04 inches
sin A = sin C
a c2
c = 13.74 inches
 EXAMPLE 3
Final Answers:

m∠B1 = 39 o
m∠B2 = 141 o

m∠C1 = 116 m∠C2 = 14

o o

c1 = 51.04 in.C2= 13.74 in.

TWO – SOLUTION CASE
 SEATWORK: (notebook)

Answer in pairs.

Find m ∠B, m ∠C, and c, if

they exist.

 1) a = 9.1, b = 12, m∠A = 35o

 2) a = 25, b = 46, m∠A = 37o

3) a = 15, b = 10, m∠A = 66o

 Answers:

 1)Case 1:

m∠B=49o,m∠C=96o,c=15.78

Case 2:  

m∠B=131o,m∠C=14o,c=3.84

2)No possible solution.

3)m∠B=38o,m∠C=76o,c=15.93