Sine and Cosine Rule

If the question concerns lengths or angles in a triangle,
you may need the sine rule or the cosine rule.

First, decide if the triangle is right-angled.
Then, decide whether an angle is involved at all.
If it is a right-angled triangle, and there are no angles
involved, you will need Pythagoras Theorem
If it is a right-angled triangle, and there are angles
involved, you will need straightforward Trigonometry,
using Sin, Cos and Tan.
If the triangle is not right-angled, you may need the
Sine Rule or the Cosine Rule
The Sine Rule:

Not right-angled!
A
In any triangle ABC
or
C
a
a
b
c
=
=
sin A sin B sin C
sin A sin B sin C

=
=
a
b
c
You do not have to learn the Sine Rule or the Cosine Rule!
They are always given to you at the front of the Exam Paper.
You just have to know when and how to use them!
The Sine Rule:
C
a
b
A
You can only use the Sine Rule if you have a matching
pair.
You have to know one angle, and the side opposite it.
The Sine Rule:
C
a
b
A
You can only use the Sine Rule if you have a matching
pair.
You have to know one angle, and the side opposite it.
Then if you have just one other side or angle, you can use
the Sine Rule to find any of the other angles or sides.
Finding the missing side:

Not to scale
10cm
x
40
65
Is it a right-angled triangle? No
Is there a matching pair?
Yes

Not to scale
10cm
a
x
40
65
Yes
Use the Sine Rule
Label the sides and angles.

Not to scale
10cm
a
x
40
a
b
c
=
=
sin A sin B sin C
65
Because we are trying to find

a missing length of a side,
the little letters are on top
We dont need the C bit of the

formula.

Not to scale
10cm
a
x
40
a
b
=
sin A sin B
Fill in the bits you know.
65
Because we are trying to find

a missing length of a side,
the little letters are on top

Not to scale
10cm
a
x
40
65
a
b
=
sin A sin B
x
10
=
sin 40 sin 65

Not to scale
10cm
a
x
40
a
b
=
sin A sin B
65
x
10
=
sin 40 sin 65
10
x=
sin 40
sin 65
x = 7.09 cm
Finding the missing angle:

Not to scale
10cm
7.1cm
65
Yes

Not to scale
10cm
7.1cm
65
Yes
Use the Sine Rule
Label the sides and angles.

Not to scale
10cm
7.1cm
sin A sin B sin C

=
=
a
b
c
65
Because we are trying to

find a missing angle, the
formula is the other way up.
We dont need the C bit of the

formula.

Not to scale
10cm
7.1cm
sin A sin B
=
a
b
65
Because we are trying to

find a missing angle, the
formula is the other way up.

Not to scale
C
b
10cm
7.1cm
65
sin A sin B
=
a
b
sin sin 65
=
7.1
10

Not to scale
10cm
7.1cm
sin A sin B
=
a
b
Shift Sin =
72
sin sin 65
=
7.1
10
sin 65
sin =
7.1
10
sin = 0.6434785.....
= 40.05
The Cosine Rule:

If the triangle is not right-angled, and there is not
a matching pair, you will need then Cosine Rule.
C
b
A
In any triangle ABC
c
2
a = b + c 2bc cos A

A
c 9km
20
b 12cm
Not to scale
xa
C
No
Use the Cosine Rule
Label the sides and angles, calling the
given angle A and the missing side a.
c 9km
20
Not to scale
b 12cm
a 2 = b 2 + c 2 2bc cos A
xa
C

2
a = 12 + 9 2 12 9 cos 20
a 2 = 12 2 + 92 (2 12 9 cos 20)
a = 22.026........
a = 4.69
x = 4.69cm
C
Not to scale
A man starts at the village of Chartham and walks

5 km due South to Aylesham. Then he walks
5km
another 8 km on a bearing of 130 to Barham.
What is the direct distance between Chartham and
Barham, in a straight line?
130
First, draw a sketch.

8km
No
Use the Cosine Rule
Not to scale
A man starts at the village of Chartham and walks

5 km due South to Aylesham. Then he walks
5km
another 8 km to on a bearing of 130 to Barham.
What is the direct distance between Chartham and

Barham, in a straight line?
a = b + c 2bc cos A
Call the missing length you want to find a
Label the other sides
a = 5 + 8 - 2 x 5 x 8 x cos130
a = 25 + 64 - 80cos130
a = 140.42
a = 11.85
11.85km
130
8km
c
B
Finding the missing angle :

C
Not to scale
6cm
9cm
10cm
No
Use the Cosine Rule
Label the sides and angles,
calling the missing angle A
Finding the missing angle :

C
Not to scale
6cm
9cm
10cm
a = b + c 2bc cos A
92 = 62 + 10 2 2 6 10 cos
81 = 36 + 100 120 cos
81 = 136 120 cos
136 81
Shift Cos =
cos =
120
= 62.72
cos = 0.4583333....

Sine and Cosine Rule

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Sine and Cosine Rule

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If the question concerns lengths or angles in a triangle,

you may need the sine rule or the cosine rule.

The Sine Rule:

In any triangle ABC

sin A sin B sin C

The Sine Rule:

The Sine Rule:

Finding the missing side:

Finding the missing side:

Finding the missing side:

Because we are trying to find

We dont need the C bit of the

Finding the missing side:

Because we are trying to find

Finding the missing side:

Fill in the bits you know.

Finding the missing side:

Finding the missing angle:

Finding the missing angle:

Finding the missing angle:

sin A sin B sin C

Because we are trying to

We dont need the C bit of the

Finding the missing angle:

Because we are trying to

Finding the missing angle:

Fill in the bits you know.

Finding the missing angle:

The Cosine Rule:

Finding the missing side:

Finding the missing side:

Fill in the bits you know.

Finding the missing side:

A man starts at the village of Chartham and walks

First, draw a sketch.

Finding the missing side:

A man starts at the village of Chartham and walks

What is the direct distance between Chartham and

Finding the missing angle :

Finding the missing angle :

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