Lesson Plan 4-7: The Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines

Objectives

 Solve oblique triangles by using the Law of Sines or the Law of

Cosines.
 Find areas of oblique triangles.

Vertical Alignment
Solve right triangles using
Before Lesson 4-7 trigonometric functions.
Solve oblique triangles by using the
Law of Sines or the Law of
Cosines.
Find areas of oblique triangles.
Lesson 4-7
After Lesson 4-7 Verify trigonometric identities.

Preread/Prewrite
Study Notebook, p. 63
Have students complete the What You'll Learn section in the Study Notebook.

ELPS c.4.D

Scaffolding Questions
Have students read the Why? section of the lesson.
Ask:

 What is the difference between a right triangle, an oblique triangle,

and an acute triangle? Sample answer: Right triangles contain a right
angle. An oblique triangle is any triangle that is not a right triangle. All
the angles in an acute triangle are less than 90°.
 Why do weather spotters locating tornadoes not use right
triangles? Sample answer: The real-world locations of the spotters and
the tornado may not result in right triangle geometry.
 Suppose two seismic stations record an earthquake. If each station
can determine the distance from the station to the earthquake, explain
why two stations are not enough to determine the earthquake’s
location. There is more than one point that is the correct distance from
both stations.
 ELPS c.3.B(3), c.3.C(4), c.3.D(2), c.3.F(2), c.3.G(1), c.3.G(2), c.3.H(3), c.4.C(1),
c.4.C(3), c.4.C(4)

1. Solve Oblique Triangles

Examples 1–4 show how to use the Law of Sines to solve triangles in which various
combinations of sides and angles are known. Examples 5 and 6 show how to use the
Law of Cosines to solve triangles.

Additional Examples
1. Solve ΔLMN. Round side lengths to the nearest tenth and angle
measures to the nearest degree

N = 39°, m ≈ 42.1, n ≈28.6

2. BALLOONING A person in a hot-air balloon observes that the

angle of depression to a building on the ground is 65.8°. After
ascending 500 feet, the person now observes that the angle of
depression is 70.2°. How far is the balloonist from the
building? about 2671.6 ft

3. Find all solutions for the given triangle, if possible. If no solution

exists, write no solution. Round side lengths to the nearest tenth
and angle measures to the nearest degree.

a. A = 63°, a = 18, b = 25 no solution

b. A = 105°, a = 73, b = 55 B ≈ 47°, C ≈ 28°, c ≈ 35.5

4. Find two triangles for which A = 45°, a = 18, and c = 24. Round
side lengths to the nearest tenth and angle measures to the
nearest degree. B ≈ 65°, C ≈ 70°, b ≈ 23.0; B ≈ 25°, C ≈
110°, b ≈ 11.0

5. LANDSCAPING A triangular area of lawn has a sprinkler

located at each vertex. If the sides of the lawn are a = 19
feet, b = 24.3 feet, and c = 21.8 feet, what angle of sweep
should each sprinkler be set to cover? A ≈ 48°, B ≈ 73°, C ≈ 59°
6. Solve ΔABC. Round side lengths to the nearest tenth and angle
measures to the nearest degree.

a ≈ 9.0, B ≈ 58°, C ≈ 83°

2. Find Areas of Oblique Triangles

Example 7 shows how to find the area of an oblique triangle using Heron’s
Formula. Example 8 shows how to find the area of a triangle given two sides and the
included angle.

Additional Examples
7. Find the area of ΔABC to the nearest tenth.

978.6 ft2

8. Find the area of ΔABC to the nearest tenth.

 442.8 in2

Focus on Mathematical Content

The Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines can be used to solve oblique triangles. The
known sides (S) and angles (A) determine which law is used. The Law of Sines can be
used when the known measures are AAS, ASA, or SSA, and The Law of Cosines can
be used when the known measures are SSS or SAS. When using the Law of Sines for
the SSA case, it is important to check if no solution, one solution, or two solutions exist.
If all three sides of an oblique triangle are known, then Heron’s formula can be used to
find the triangle’s area. For an oblique triangle with known SAS, the area is one half the
product of the lengths of the two sides and the sine of their included angle.
Law of Sines and Law of Cosines Depending on which values are known, the Law of
Sines or the Law of Cosines may be used to solve an oblique triangle. Note that while it
is possible to have more than one possible answer when using the Law of Sines, if a
solution exists when using the Law of Cosines, the solution is unique.
Area Formulas There are two formulas for calculating the area of a triangle when the
height is unknown. If all three side measures are known, use Heron’s formula. When
two sides and an included angle are known, the area of the triangle is equal to one-half
the product of the lengths of two sides and the sine of their included angle.

Tips for New Teachers

Multiple Solutions In Examples 3 and 4, some students might find it helpful to sketch
the triangles to help them visualize the possible number of solutions. Another way to
determine if there are two solutions is to find the sum of the supplement of ∠C and the
measure of ∠A. If the sum is less than 180°, there are two solutions.
Area Formulas Emphasize to students that there is no need to memorize each of the
three area equations for an SAS triangle. Instead, students should learn the general
form of the area equation, that is, area equals half the product of the lengths of the two
sides and the sine of their included angle.
Teach with Tech
Video Recording Have students make a video about when to apply the Law of Sines or
the Law of Cosines. Students should measure the known angles and sides, then show
how to use each law to solve for the remaining measures of the triangle. The video
should show the application of the law and the verification of the result.

ELPS c.3.B(3), c.3.C(4), c.3.D(1), c.3.D(2), c.3.F(1), c.3.F(2)

Targeted TEKS
P.4(G) Use the Law of Sines in mathematical and real-world problems.
P.4(H) Use the Law of Cosines in mathematical and real-world problems.
Also addresses P.4(F).

Mathematical Processes
P.1(A) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the
workplace
P.1(G) display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using
precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

ELPS Tracking
c.1.A(1) Use prior knowledge to understand meanings in English.
c.1.D Speak using learning strategies such as requesting
assistance, employing non-verbal cues, and using
synonyms and circumlocution.
c.2.I(3) Demonstrate listening comprehension of increasingly
complex spoken English by responding to questions and
requests commensurate with content and grade-level
needs.
c.3.B(3) Expand and internalize initial English vocabulary by
learning and using routine language needed for
classroom communication.