SOLVING TRIANGLES
"Solving" means finding missing sides and angles.
When we know any 3 of the sides or angles ...
... we can find the other 3
(Except for only 3 angles, because we need at least one side to find how big the triangle is.)
SIX DIFFERENT TYPES
If you need to solve a triangle right now choose one of the six options below:
Which Sides or Angles do you know already? (Click on the image or link)
... or read on to find out how you can become an expert triangle solver:
YOUR SOLVING TOOLBOX
Want to learn to solve triangles?
Imagine you are "The Solver" ...
... the one they ask for when a triangle needs solving!
In your solving toolbox (along with your pen, paper and calculator) you have these 3 equations:
1. The angles always add to 180°:
𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 180°
When you know two angles you can find the third.
2. Law of Sines (the Sine Rule):
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐴) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐵) 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝐶)
When there is an angle opposite a side, this equation comes to the rescue.
Note: angle A is opposite side a, B is opposite b, and C is opposite c.
3. Law of Cosines (the Cosine Rule):
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 2𝑎𝑏 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐶)
This is the hardest to use (and remember) but it is sometimes needed to get you out of difficult
situations.
It is an enhanced version of the Pythagoras Theorem that works on any triangle.
With those three equations you can solve any triangle (if it can be solved at all).
Six Different Types (More Detail)
There are SIX different types of puzzles you may need to solve. Get familiar with them:
1. AAA
This means we are given all three angles of a triangle, but no sides.
AAA triangles are impossible to solve further since there are is nothing to show us size ... we know the
shape but not how big it is.
We need to know at least one side to go further. See Solving "AAA" Triangles.
2. AAS
This mean we are given two angles of a triangle and one side, which is not the side adjacent to the two
given angles.
Such a triangle can be solved by using Angles of a Triangle to find the other angle, and The Law of
Sines to find each of the other two sides. See Solving "AAS" Triangles.
3. ASA
This means we are given two angles of a triangle and one side, which is the side adjacent to the two
given angles.
In this case we find the third angle by using Angles of a Triangle, then use The Law of Sines to find each
of the other two sides. See Solving "ASA" Triangles.
4. SAS
This means we are given two sides and the included angle.
For this type of triangle, we must use The Law of Cosines first to calculate the third side of the triangle;
then we can use The Law of Sines to find one of the other two angles, and finally use Angles of a
Triangle to find the last angle. See Solving "SAS" Triangles.
5. SSA
This means we are given two sides and one angle that is not the included angle.
In this case, use The Law of Sines first to find either one of the other two angles, then use Angles of a
Triangle to find the third angle, then The Law of Sines again to find the final side. See Solving "SSA"
Triangles.
6. SSS
This means we are given all three sides of a triangle, but no angles.
In this case, we have no choice. We must use The Law of Cosines first to find any one of the three
angles, then we can use The Law of Sines (or use The Law of Cosines again) to find a second angle, and
finally Angles of a Triangle to find the third angle. See Solving "SSS" Triangles.
Tips to Solving
Here is some simple advice:
When the triangle has a right angle, then use it, that is usually much
simpler.
When two angles are known, work out the third using Angles of a Triangle
Add to 180°.
