Warm

Up 7.2
Find the value of the six trig functions for . Give exact answers in
simplied radical form.

4
6
The height of a slide is 10 feet. If the slide is 15 feet long, what is the
angle of elevation of the slide?

Unit 7: Trigonometric
Ratios and Functions
Target 7.2
APPLY THE LAW OF SINES
(S8.2)

Up until this point, our study of trigonometry has only let us look
at right triangles.
We can use the Law of Sines or Law of Cosines to nd the
missing angles and sides of any triangle. We will also be able to
nd their areas.
Law of Sines
A
sin A sin B sin C
b
c
B

a
C

Use Law of Sines when you

have a ______________ (one
angle and its matching side).

Can the Law of Sines be used to solve the triangle? Explain.

Solve the triangle with the given measurements.

C = 107 o
B = 25 o
b = 15

Solve the triangle with the given measurements.

A = 115o
a = 20
b = 11

*Note: When you are using the Law of Sines and you have a
choice of which angle to nd rst, always start with the
_________________ angle!

To measure the height of a

mountain, a surveyor takes two
sightings of the peak a distance of
900 meters apart on a direct line to
the mountain, as shown. The rst
observation results in an angle of
elevation of 47o, and the second
results in an angle of elevation of
350. If the equipment that
measures the angle is 2 meters o
the ground, nd the height of the
mountain.

Recall from Geometry that when you begin with two sides and the
non-included angle, you have a case of SSA. We call this the
ambiguous case.
Be careful! In this situation, you may have __________________
triangles formed!

Lets watch a video about this

If Angle A is ________________, and

Side a < Side b, then

You have _________ triangles.

Side a > Side b, then

You have _________ triangle.

h = b sin A
If Angle A is ________________, and
Side a < h, then

You have
_________
triangles.

Side a = h or Side a > Side b,

then

You have _________ triangle.

Side a is longer
than h but
shorter than
Side b, then

You have
_________
triangles.

Determining if you have one, two, or no triangles formed

Is a > b ?

Yes

One

No
Find h = b sin A
Is a > h ?

Yes
Two s (a is in
the sweet spot
between h and b

No
No s (a does not
meet min height
requirement

Determine if 1, 2, or no triangles could exist with the given

measurements. Then solve any triangles that exist.

A = 51o
a = 3 .5
b=5

Determine if 1, 2, or no triangles could exist with the given

measurements. Then solve any triangles that exist.

A = 40 o
a = 13
b = 16