Law of Sines

Daniel Adoba-Otchey

NAU

November 29, 2016

 Outline

1 Introduction

2 Outline of Proof

3 Conclusion
 Introduction

The Law of Sines allows us to solve triangles that are not

right-angled, and are called oblique triangles. It provides a formula
that relates the sides with the angles of a triangle. This formula
allows you to relatively easily find the side length or the angle of
any triangle.
According to the law,
a b c
d = = = ,
sin() sin() sin()

where a, b, and c are the lengths of the sides of a triangle, and

, , and are the opposite angles while d is the diameter of
the triangles circumcircle.
 Outline

1 Introduction

2 Outline of Proof

3 Conclusion
 Cases
Looking at three cases of the property, we consider a given circle to which the
angle subtended at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference.

Case 1
Consider the figure

Analysis
For the Case 1, we have

= 180o (180o 2)
= 2 .
 Case 2
Figure 2
For Case 2, we consider the
figure below;

Analysis
From Case 1, we have
1 = 21 and 2 = 22
So

= 1 + 2
= 21 + 22
= 2(1 + 2 ) .
 Case 3

Figure 3
Finally, considering this figure:
Analysis
Then again,
1 = 21 and 2 = 22 .
So

= 1 2
= 21 22
= 2(1 2 ) .
 Proof

Figure 4
Thus we have the figure
Angles
Now, for a triangle ABC
inscribed in a circle with radius r .
We know that:
1 angles subtended by the

same chord BC are the
same,
2 the diameter subtends a
right angle at the
circumference.
Proof.
Therefore we have
a
sin() =
2r
This implies:
a
2r =
sin()

By similar analysis, we have the the law of sines as

b c
2r = = .
sin() sin()

where = ABC , and = BCA.

 Outline

1 Introduction

2 Outline of Proof

3 Conclusion
 Conclusion

The result shown above is also known as the sine law, sine
rule or rule of sines.
The Law of Sines is very useful and has different formulations
in curvature.
An equivalent form of this proof can be found in proof wiki
and purple math (websites).