SOLVING TRIANGLES 2 (sine and cosine summary

formulae) +BEARING PROBLEMS

# supposing 𝜽 is an obtuse angle (90° < 𝜽 <180°)
#an angle more than 0° and less than 90° is an then, the trigonometric ratios are found by using
acute angle. the supplement of the angle, i.e.
# an angle more than 90° and less than 180° is an 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝜽) ;
obtuse angle.
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 = −𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝜽) ;
#two angles which add up to 90° are called
𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝜽 = −𝐭𝐚𝐧 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝜽).
complementary angles.
For example
# two angles which add up to 180° are called
supplementary angles. 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟏𝟔𝟎° = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝟏𝟔𝟎°)
= 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝟎° = 𝟎, 𝟑𝟒𝟐𝟎
# given that O is the centre of the circle and the x 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟏𝟔𝟎° = −𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝟏𝟔𝟎°)
and y-axes.
= −𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝟎° = −𝟎, 𝟗𝟑𝟗𝟕
𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝟏𝟔𝟎° = −𝐭𝐚𝐧 (𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝟏𝟔𝟎°)
= −𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝟐𝟎° = −𝟎, 𝟑𝟔𝟒𝟎

exercise 1 (4dp) use tables/calculator to find the

values of the following.
1. sin 110° 2. cos 110° 3. tan 110°
4. sin 98° 5. cos 142° 6. cos 103°6ʹ
7. sin 178,35° 8. sin 164°13ʹ 9. cos 121°31ʹ
̂ M=QO
* PO ̂ L=𝜃 (acute). 10. sin 95,17° 11. tan 131°42ʹ 12. tan 83°6ʹ
̂ Q=180° − 𝜃 (obtuse).
* MO
* OP=OQ (radii, both taken to be positive
lengths).
# Angles from trig ratios (values of 𝜽 lying
* OL is a negative length since it is on the between 0° and 180° in each of the following),
negative part of the x-axis. for example

Thus OL= −OM from the symmetry of the a. cos θ = 0,2874 b. sin θ = 0,9361

figure. c. cos θ = −0,8224 d. tanθ = −2,1640

Hence Solutions

𝑶𝑵 𝑶𝑵 a. (θ is acute since cos θ is positive) θ = 73,3°

sin (180° − 𝜽) = 𝑶𝑸 = 𝑶𝑷 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽
b. θ = 69,4° or 180 − 69.4 = 110,6°
𝑶𝑳 −𝑶𝑴
cos (180° − 𝜽) = 𝑶𝑸 = = −𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
𝑶𝑷 thus θ = 69,4° or 110,6°
𝑶𝑵 𝑶𝑵
tan (180° − 𝜽) = = −𝑶𝑴 = −𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝜽 c. (θ is obtuse since cos θ is negative)
𝑶𝑳
θ = 180 − 34,7 = 145,3°

1
d. (θ is obtuse since tan θ is negative)
θ = 180 − 65,2 = 114,8°
NB solutions in c and d are obtainable
(straight as 145,3° and 114,8° respectively) by
using a calculator set in degrees mode.

2. In ∆ABC, 𝐵 = 104, 3°, 𝐶 = 31,3°,

exercise 2 (1dp) use tables/calculator to find the
values of 𝜽. 𝑎 = 29,0 𝑐𝑚. Form an equation used to find c
1. cos θ = 0,8090 2. cos θ = −0,8090 but do not solve it.
3. tan θ = 3,7320 4. tan θ = −3,7320 3. In ∆ABC, 𝐴 = 38°18ʹ, 𝑎 = 252 𝑚,
5. sin θ = 0,9205 6. cos θ = −0,9397 𝑏 = 198 𝑚. Solve the triangle completely.
7. tan θ = −0,6249 8. sin θ = 0,9646 4. Calculate the values of angles A and C of
9. cos θ = 0,7846 10. tan θ = 12,43 ∆ABC, where 𝑏 = 14,35𝑐𝑚, 𝑎 = 7,82 𝑐𝑚 and
𝐵 = 115°36ʹ.
THE SINE RULE home work (attempt b an ambiguous
𝐚 𝐛 𝐜
case)
= 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐁 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐂
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐀
a. in ∆XYZ, 𝑌 = 29,8°, 𝑍 = 51,4°, 𝑥=
19.6 𝑐𝑚. Solve the triangle completely.
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐀 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐁 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐂
or = =
𝐚 𝐛 𝐜
*b. find i) Ĉ
̂
ii) B
NB. This formula is used for solving triangles
which are not right angled (in which either 2
angles and any side are given OR 2 sides and
the angle opposite one of them are given).
̂ is CA
# angles are named using capitals(A ̂ B or
BÂ C), sides are named using small letters. N.B. ambiguous case occurs only when given 2
̂>B ̂ > Ĉ i.e. the sides and the angle opposite the smaller side: two
# if 𝑎 > 𝑏 > 𝑐 it follows that A
complete sets of solutions are obtainable
longest side in a triangle is also opposite the
biggest angle.
# if angles in a given question are in degrees and
minutes, you are expected to give answers in
degrees and minutes (accuracy should be to the THE COSINE RULE
nearest minute). # as with the sine rule, this formula is used for
exercise 3 solving triangles which are not right angled as
well (in which either 2 sides and the included
1. Using information given in the diagram, angle are given/ three sides only).
write down, but do not solve, an equation
which can be used to find x.

2
 example
Calculate the angles, 2dp, of a triangle with sides
of length 4 m, 5 m and 7m.

𝐚𝟐 = 𝐛𝟐 + 𝐜 𝟐 − 𝟐𝐛𝐜 × 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐀
OR a2 = b2 + c 2 − 2bc × cos 𝜃
𝐛𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐜 𝟐 − 𝟐𝐚𝐜 × 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐁 52 +72 −42 58
solution: cos A = = 17 = 0,8286
2×5×7
𝐜 𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟐𝐚𝐛 × 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐂 ⇒A=34,04°
exercise 4
Find the length of the side opposite the given 42 +72 −52 40
angle (3s.f.) in each of the following ∆s 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐵 = = = 0,7143
2×4×7 56

⇒ 𝐵 = 44,42°
42 +52 −72 −8
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝐶 = = = −0,2000
2×4×5 40

⇒ 𝐶 = 101,54°
check: A + B + C = 34,04° + 44,42° +
101,54° = 180° . It is advisable to use the cosine
3. 𝐵 = 135°30ʹ, 𝑐 = 8 𝑐𝑚, 𝑎 = 5 𝑐𝑚 formula to find every angle, then to check the
results by addition.
## rounding off numbers only takes place at the
#using cosine rule to calculate angles (of a
final answer stage. Do not use rounded numbers
triangle in which all three sides are given).
at intermediate stages of the calculation.
𝐛𝟐 +𝐜 𝟐 −𝐚𝟐
cos A = similarly, ## if two angles are to found, then the smaller
𝟐𝐛𝐜
of the two unknown angles is found first, since
𝐚𝟐 +𝐜 𝟐 −𝐛𝟐
cos B = and this must be an acute angle (sine rule gives 2
𝟐𝐚𝐜
values of angles in ambiguous cases eg 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 =
𝐚𝟐 +𝐛𝟐 −𝐜 𝟐
cos C = 0,9041 𝜃 = 64,7° or 115,3°)
𝟐𝐚𝐛

N.B. exercise 5
calculate angles(1dp) of the ∆s whose sides are
given in cm.
1.
𝐜 𝟐 = 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 when c is opposite a right angle

𝐜 𝟐 < 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 when c is opposite an acute angle

𝐜 𝟐 > 𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 when c is opposite an obtuse angle

3
2. 𝑎 = 7,2 , 𝑏 = 6,3 , 𝑐 = 9,9 . J from O is 180° or due South;
H from O is 270° or due West.
NB calculation in No.2 is simplified by N.B. ** i 3-figure bearing is measured clockwise
considering a similar triangle, 𝑎 = 8 , 𝑏 = 7, 𝑐 =
from the North and is in the range
11 .
000° to 360°.
(i.e. equiangular, in this case) which has less
complex numbers as sides. Always use three digits.
**ii compass bearing is an acute angle
BEARING measured in clockwise or anticlockwise
**Bearing-helps to define the direction of a point directions from either N or S.
from another given (reference) point. ‘North’ line
should pass through reference point and is always
perpendicular to an “imaginary” horizontal axis.
Bearing is quoted in two forms, Three-figure
bearing (/three-figure true bearing) and the
Compass bearing e.g.

The angle of elevation of G from H is µ;

while ß is the angle of elevation of G from I.
The angle of depression of I from G is α.
NB. Both JG and IH are said to be horizontal.

**area of triangle

1 ℎ
area= 2 × 𝑏 × ℎ but 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐴 = 𝑐

so ℎ = 𝒄𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝑨 thus
NB. North, East, South and West are described
1
area of triangle= 2 × 𝑏 × 𝒄𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑨
by the word (due) and the bearing of
1
K from O is 000° or due North; = 2 × 𝑏 × 𝑐 × 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐴

G from O is 090° or due East; 1 1

other versions: area= 2 𝑎𝑏𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐶 = 2 𝑎𝑐𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐵
4
***************neither tables nor calculators (D)n2000p1 No.16 In the diagram, ABC is a
may be used in p1 questions**************** triangle and AD is perpendicular to BC produced.
AC=5cm, AD=3cm, BC=7cm and CD=4cm.

(a) Find, as a common fraction

(A)n1999p1No.12 In the diagram Q is due north (i) sin𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵, [1]
of R. PQR is an isosceles triangle with PQ=PR
and𝑄𝑃̂𝑅 = 36°. (ii) tan 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵. [1]

(a) Calculate, giving your answer in three-figure (b) Write down the ratio of ∆ABC : the area of
notation, ∆ACD in its simplest form. [1]
(i) the bearing of Q from P, [1]
(ii) the bearing of P from R. [1] (E)j2001p1 No.12
(b) Calculate reflex 𝑄𝑃̂𝑅. [1]

(B)n2000p1 No. 21a A plane is flying on a

bearing of 293°. It then changes direction through
83° anticlockwise. Calculate its new bearing. [1] In the diagram, 𝐴𝐵 = 11𝑐𝑚,
C 𝐵𝐶 = 7𝑐𝑚 and
AC=6cm. Calculate the value of cos 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵,giving
your answer as common fraction in its lowest
(C)n1999p1 No.23 terms. [3]

(F)n2001p1No.26

In the diagram, AB is parallel to DC, 𝐴𝐷 =

3,3𝑐𝑚, 𝐷𝐶 = 6𝑐𝑚 and 𝐵𝐶 = 10𝑐𝑚. 𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 = 16°
and 𝐷𝐴̂𝐶 = 90°.
In the diagram 𝐷𝐵̂ 𝐶 = 90°, 𝐴𝐷
̂ 𝐵 = 𝐵𝐷
̂ 𝐶,
(a) Find 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐷 leaving your answer as a proper
𝐴𝐷 =15cm, 𝐷𝐵 = 8𝑐𝑚 and 𝐷𝐶 = 10𝑐𝑚.
fraction. [1]
(a) Calculate BC. [1]
(b) Name an angle which is equal to𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐷. [1]
̂ 𝐶.
(b) Find cos 𝐵𝐷 [1]
(c) Calculate AC. [3]
(c) Calculate 𝐴𝐵 2 [2]
[𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟏𝟔° = 𝟎, 𝟐𝟖; 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟏𝟔° = 𝟎, 𝟗𝟔; 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟏𝟔° = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟗]

5
(G)n2001p2 No.9b In the diagram, JKLM is a quadrilateral,
In the diagram, A is JM=5 m, KM=8 m and 𝑀𝐽̂𝐾 = 50°.
5,5km due north of B, ̂𝑀
(i) Calculate 𝐽𝐾 [3]
𝐴𝐶 = 3.0𝑘𝑚 and (ii) Given that 𝑀𝐾̂ 𝐿 = 95° and KL=11m,
calculate the length of ML. [5]
𝐵𝐴̂𝐶 = 118°.
Calculate
(J)n2001p2 No.3
(i) the bearing of C
from A
(ii) the distance that A is east of C,
(iii) the distance BC. [1+2+3;2] [8]

In the diagram, PS=4,8 cm, SQ=12cm

(H) j1999p1 No.25
In the diagram, P, Q and 𝑆𝑄̂ 𝑅 = 36,7° and 𝑄𝑅̂ 𝑆 = 90°.

R represent points on the Calculate

level ground with PQ=30m, (a) the length of QR, [2]

(b) the length of PR, [3]
PR=24, 𝑃𝑅̂ 𝑄 = 87° and
(c) the size of the angle marked 𝑦°, [2]
𝑄𝑃̂𝑅 = 40°. The bearing
(d) the area of the triangle PSQ. [2]
of Q from P is 042°.
Use as much of the information given below as is
necessary. (K)n1999p2 No.9 Three points L,M and N are on
horizontal ground with M due east of L. The
(a) Calculate
bearing of N from L is 048° and from M is 325°.
(i) the bearing of R from Q, [2] LN=11km and MN=9km.
(ii) how far Q is north of P. [2] ̂ 𝑁,
(a) Calculate (i) 𝐿𝑀 (ii) LM. [2,4]
(b) R is the base of a vertical mast RT. The (b) At midday Peter set out to walk from L
angle of elevation of the top of the mast T, towards N at an average speed of 5km/h.
from P is also 42°. Calculate the height of Calculate the time at which he arrived at N.
the mast RT. [2] [3]
[𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟐° = 𝟎, 𝟔𝟕; 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟒𝟐° = 𝟎, 𝟕𝟒; 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟒𝟐° = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎] (c) At N he changed the direction of his walk to
due east until he reached a point D which is due
north of M. Calculate DM. [3]
(I) j1999p2 No.9b
.

6
(L)j2000p2 No.4 In the diagram, ABC is a triangle in which
BC=9cm, angle ABC=68° and angle BAC=42°.
In the diagram, ABC is
(a) Calculate the length of AC.
an acute angled triangle
(b) The point H is on AC such that AH=4,1 cm
in which AB=12cm,
and the point G is on AB such that
BC=15cm and
AG=4,7 cm.
𝐶𝐴̂𝐵 = 58°.
Calculate (i) the length of HG,
(a) Calculate
(ii) the area of the triangle AHG.
(i) 𝐴𝐶̂ 𝐵, (ii) the perpendicular distance from
(c) Calculate the perpendicular distance from B to
C to AB, (iii) AC. [3,3,2]
AC. [3,4,3,2]
(b) Given that L lies on AC and that AL=6 cm,
calculate BL. [4]
(O)n2001p1No.18

(M)n2000p2 No.10
In the diagram, E, F,
G and H are four
points on a sports field.
The diagram shows triangle ABC with AB=4𝑥cm,
E is due north of F, H
BC=6 cm and 𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶 = 30°. Given the area of the
is due east of F,
triangle is 15 cm2, find the value of 𝑥. [3]
𝐹𝐸̂ 𝐻 = 65°, FH=15,2 m, HG=12,5 m and
𝐹𝐺̂ 𝐻 = 75°20𝐼 . [𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟑𝟎° = 𝟎, 𝟓; 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟑𝟎° = 𝟎, 𝟖𝟕; 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟑𝟎° = 𝟎, 𝟓𝟖]

(a) Calculate
(i) the distance EF, (ii) 𝐺𝐹̂ 𝐻 (P)j2001p1No.5b
A, B and C are three
(iii) the bearing of G from F.
(b) A vertical pole, whose top is T, is erected at H. points on level
ground. The bearing
Given that the height of the pole is 5,6 m,
calculate the angle of elevation of T from F. of C from B is 138°
̂ C=92°.
and AB

(N)j2001p2 No.8 Calculate the bearing of B from A. [2]

(Q)n2008p2No.8b

7
In the diagram, ABC is a crane lifting a load D.
AB and BC are beams and ACD is a string. Given
that the vertical beam AB=5m, AC=8m, CD=3,6m
and 𝐵𝐶̂ 𝐴 = 36°, calculate
(i) 𝐴𝐵̂ 𝐶, (ii) the height of D above
ground level.

(R)n2009p1No.5b Two towns X and Y are such

that the bearing of X from Y is 031°.
(a) Find the bearing of Y from X.
(b) A third town Z is on a bearing of 300° from
Y. Find 𝑍𝑌̂𝑋. [1,2]

07120503939