PART I: TRIGONOMETRY

Module 7

SOLUTION OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES

Oblique triangles cannot always be

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
conveniently solved by reduction to right
At the end of the lesson, the students triangles. The solution of oblique triangles
must be able to: may be classified under one of the following
cases in each of which are given three
(a) Gain understanding of oblique independent parts:
triangles;
(b) Develop skills in manual 1. One side and two angles
2. Two sides and the angle opposite one
computations, calculator and
of them
computer operation; and
3. Two sides and the included angle
(c) Find interest in learning the
4. Three sides
lessons.
In case 1, the third angle, if needed, can be
obtained from A + B + C = 180 0. In cases 1
and 2, the required sides and/or angles may be obtained by the law of sines. In case 3 to find the

LAW OF SINES
The sides of a triangle are proportional to the sines of their opposite angles.
a b c
sinA
= =
sin B sinC

LAW OF COSINES
The square of any side of a triangle equals the sum of the squares of the other two
sides minus twice the product of these two sides times the cosine of their included angle.

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cosC
2 2 2
a +b – c
cos C =
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cosA 2 ab
2 2 2
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cosB cos A =
b +c – a
2bc
a2 +c 2 – b2
AREA OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES cos B =
2 ac
Heron’s Formula
Alternative Formulas
A= √ s ( s−a)(s−b)( s−c ) 1 1
A= ab sin C A= bc sin A
a+b+c 2 2
Where: s= semi−perimeter =
2 1
A= ac sin B
2
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third side, or in case 4 to find one angle, we may use the law of cosines. The remaining parts can be
computed by the law of sines ) preferably or by the law of cosines.

EXERCISES/ APPLICATIONS

CASE 1. Solve the missing parts and area of the oblique triangle given A = 27036’, C = 105014’,
b =46.38

Solution:
a . Illustration B

c
a
105 14’(
0

) 27036’
A C
b=46.38
=46.388
b. Given: A = 27 36’, C = 105014’, b =46.38
0

Required: B, a, c and Area

c . Use Law of sines

a b c
sinA
= =
sin B sinC

d. Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle B
A+ B + C = 1800
B = 1800 -C - A
B = 1800 -105014’ – 27036’
B = 47010’

Solving for side c

b c
=
sin B sinC
46.38 c
=
sin 47 10 ’ sin 1050 14 ’
0

csin 47 0 10 ’ = 46.38 (sin 1050 14 ’ ¿

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 (sin 105¿¿ 0 14 ’ )
c = 46.38 ¿
sin 47 0 10 ’
46.38(0.964864)
c = 0.733334

c = 61.02

Solving for side a

a b
sin A
= sin B

a 46.38
sin 270 36’
= sin 470 10 ’

asin 47 0 10 ’ = 46.38 (sin 270 36 ’ ¿

(sin 27 ¿¿ 0 36’ )
a = 46.38 0
sin 47 10 ’
¿

46.38(0.463296)
a = 0.733334

a = 29.30

Solving for the Area

a. Using the Heron’s Formula)

With a = 29.30 , b = 46.38 , c= 61.02

a+b+ c 29.30+46.38+61.02
s= 2
= 2
= 68.35
A= √ s (s−a)(s−b)( s−c )
A= √ 68.35(68.35−29.30)(68.35−46.38)(68.35−61.02)
A= √ 68.35(39.05)(21.97)(7.33)
A= √ 429,826.90
A = 655.61 sq. units

b. Using the Alternative Formulas

1
A= ab sin C
2
1
A= (29.30) (46.38) sin 105014’
2

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 1
A= (29.30) (46.38)(0.964864)
2

A = 655.59 sq. units

1
A= bc sin A
2
1
A= (46.38)(61.02)sin 27036’
2
1
A= (46.38)(61.02) (0.463296)
2
A = 655.59 sq. units

1
A= ac sin B
2
1
A= (29.30) (61.02) sin 47010’
2
1
A= (29.30) (61.02)(0.733334)
2

A = 655.56 sq. units

Note: The differences in the answers are mainly due to rounding off of numbers

CASE 2. Solve the missing parts and area of the oblique triangle given a= 76.3, b=64.8 ,
A = 52027’.

B
Solution:
a . Illustration

a=76.3
c

A ) 520 27’
b=64. 8 C
=46.388
b. Given: A = 52 27’, a = 76.3, b =64.8
0

Required: B, c, C and Area

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c . Use Law of sines
a b c
sinA
= =
sin B sinC

d. Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle B

b a
=
sin B sinA
64.8 76.3
=
sin B sin 520 27’

76.3sin B = 64.8 (sin 520 27’ ¿

0
64.8(sin 52 27’ )
Sin B =
76.3
64.8(0.792822)
Sin B =
76.3

Sin B = 0.673327
B = sin-1 0.673327
B = 42.320 = 42019’

Solving for angle C

A+ B + C = 1800
C = 1800 - B - A
C = 1800 -42019’ – 52027’
C = 85014’

Solving for side c

b c
=
sin B sinC
64.8 c
0
= 0
sin 42 19’ sin 85 14 ’
csin 420 19 ’ = 64.8 (sin 850 14 ’¿

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 (sin 85¿¿ 0 14 ’ )
c = 64.8 ¿
sin 420 19’
64.8(0.996541)
c = 0.673228

c = 95.92

Solving for the Area

a. Using the Heron’s Formula)

With a = 76.30 , b = 64.8 , c= 95.92

a+b+ c 76.30+64.8+95.92
s= 2
= 2
= 118.51
A= √ s (s−a)(s−b)( s−c )
A= √ 118.51(118.51−76.30)(118.51−64.8)(118.51−95.92)
A= √ 118.51(42.21)(53.71)(22.59)
A= √ 6,069,343.73
A = 2463.60 sq. units

b. Using the Alternative Formulas

1
A= ab sin C
2
1
A= (76.30) (64.8) sin 85014’
2
1
A= (76.30) (64.8)(0.996541)
2

A = 2463.57 sq. units

1
A= bc sin A
2
1
A= (64.8)(95.92)sin 52027’
2
1
A= (64.8)(95.92) (0.792822)
2
A = 2463.94 sq. units
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 1
A= ac sin B
2
1
A= (76.30) (95.92) sin 42019’
2
1
A= (76.30) (95.92)(0.673228)
2

A = 655.57 sq. units

Note: The differences in the answers are mainly due to rounding off of numbers

CASE 3. Solve the missing parts and area of the oblique triangle given a= 29.30, b=46.38 ,
C = 105014’.

Solution:
a . Illustration
B

c a=29.30
105014’ (

A C
b=46.38
=46.388
b. Given: C = 105 14’, a = 29.30, b =46.38
0

Required: A, B, c and Area

c . Use Law of cosines 2 2

a +b – c
2
cos C =
2 ab
c2= a2 + b2 – 2ab cosC
2 2 2
b +c – a
a =b
2 2
+c
2
– 2bc cosA cos A =
2bc
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cosB a2 +c 2 – b2
cos B =
2 ac

d. Substitution and Computations

Solving for side c

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 c2= a2 + b2 – 2ab cosC

c = √ 29.302 +46.382 – 2 ( 29.30 ) ( 46.38 ) cos 1050 14 '

c = √ 858.49+2151.10−2 ( 29.30 ) ( 46.38 )(−0.262751)

c = √ 858.49+2151.10+714.12
c = √ 3723.71
c = 61.02

Solving for angle A

2 2 2
b +c – a
cos A =
2bc

46.382 +61.022 – 29.302

cos A =
2( 46.38)(61.02)

2151.10+3723.44 – 858.49
cos A = 5660.22

5016.05
cos A = 5660.22

cos A = 0.886193
A = cos-1 0.886193
A = 27.600 = 27036’

Solving for angle C

A+ B + C = 1800
B = 1800 - A - C
B = 1800 -27036’ – 105014’
C = 47010’

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Solving for the Area Using the Heron’s Formula)

With a = 29.30 , b = 46.38 , c= 61.02

a+b+ c 29.30+46.38+61.02
s= 2
= 2
= 68.35
A= √ s (s−a)(s−b)( s−c )
A= √ 68.35(68.35−29.30)(68.35−46.38)(68.35−61.02)
A= √ 68.35(39.05)(21.97)(7.33)
A= √ 429,826.90
A = 655.61 sq. units

CASE 4. Solve the missing parts and area of the oblique triangle given a= 4, b=7 , c= 5
Solution:
a . Illustration
B
c=5
a=4

A
b=7 C
=46.388

b. Given: a = 4, b =7 , c =5
Required: A, B, C and Area

c . Use Law of cosines a2 +b2 – c2

cos C =
2 ab
c2= a2 + b2 – 2ab cosC
b2 +c 2 – a2
a =b
2 2
+c 2
– 2bc cosA cos A =
2bc
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cosB 2 2
a +c – b
2
cos B =
2 ac

d. Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle A

b2 +c 2 – a2
cos A =
2bc

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 2 2 2
7 +5 – 4
cos A =
2(7)(5)
49+25 – 16
cos A = 70
58
cos A = 70

cos A = 0.828571
A = cos-1 0.828571
A = 34.050 = 3403’

Solving for angle B

a2 +c 2 – b2
cos B =
2 ac

4 2+5 2 – 7 2
cos B =
2( 4)(5)
16+25 – 49
cos B = 40
−8
cos B = 40

cos B = 0.20000
B = cos-1 −0.20000
B = 101.540 = 101032’

Solving for angle C

A+ B + C = 1800
B = 1800 - A - B
B = 1800 -3403’ – 101032’
C = 44025’
or
2 2 2
a +b – c
cos C =
2 ab
2 2 2
4 +7 – 5
cos C =
2( 4)(7)

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 16+49 – 25
cos C = 56
40
cos C = 56

cos C = 0.714286
C = cos-1 0.714286
B = 44.420 = 44025’

Solving for the Area (Using the Heron’s Formula)

With a = 4 , b = 7 , c= 5
a+b+ c 4+ 7+5
s= 2
= 2
=8
A= √ s (s−a)(s−b)( s−c )
A= √ 8(8−4)(8−7)( 8−5)
A= √ 8(4)(1)(3)
A= √ 96
A = 9.80 sq. units

WORD PROBLEMS
1. A post inclines at an angle of 6107’. One hundred (100) feet from its base in the direction
of inclination, its top is sighted at an angle of 24038’. Find the length of the post.
Solution: B
post
a) Illustration
c
a=length of the post

61 0
7 ’ (
) 24 38’
0
C
A b=100 ft
=46.388

b) Given: A = 24038’, C = 6107’, b =100

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 Required: a = length of the post

c) Use Law of sines

a b c
sinA
= =
sin B sinC

d) Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle B
A+ B + C = 1800
B = 1800 - A - C
B = 1800 -24038’ – 6107’
B = 94015’
Solving for side a (length of the post)
b a
=
sin B sinA
100 a
=
sin 94 15 ’ sin 24 0 38 ’
0

asin 94 0 15 ’ = 100 (sin 24 0 38 ’ ¿

100(sin 24 0 38 ’)
a = 0
sin 94 15 ’
100(0.416810)
a =
0.997250

a = 41.80 ft

2. A plane flies 75 miles south from an airfield, and then travels 120 miles more in a
different direction. By this time it bears S 29 0 E of the airfield. In what direction is it
heading.
Solution:

A airfield
W E
290 (

a) Illustration b= 75 mi

C
c
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ѳ

S
 a= 120 mi

b) Given: a = 120 mi, b =75 mi , A =290

Required: ѳ = direction the plane is heading

c) Use Law of sines

a b c
sinA
= =
sin B sinC

d) Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle B
b a
=
sin B sinA
75 120
=
sin B sin 290

120(sin B) = 75 (sin 290 ¿

0
75(sin 29 )
sin B =
120
75(0.484810)
sin B =
120
sin B = 0.303006
B = sin-1 0.303006
B = 17.640 = 17038’

Solving for angle C

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 A+ B + C = 1800
C = 1800 - A - B
C = 1800 - 290 – 17038’
C = 133022’

Solving for angle ѳ

Ѳ = 1800 - C
Ѳ = 1800 - 133022’
Ѳ = 46038’ east of south or S 46038’ E

3. Two sides of a parallelogram are 19 cm and 28 cm, respectively; one diagonal is 40 cm.
Find the angles and the other diagonal.
Solution:
a) Illustration
28 cm A
D
19 cm `
c=40 cm
b=19

B a=28 cm
C

b) Given: sides of the parallelogram = 28 cm and 19 cm, length of the longer diagonal = 40 cm
Required: angles and
Use Law of cosines
a) Use Law of cosines 2 2
a +b – c
2
cos C =
c2= a2 + b2 – 2ab cosC 2 ab
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cosA b2 +c 2 – a2
cos A =
b =a
2 2
+c2
– 2ac cosB 2bc

a2 +c 2 – b2
cos B =
2 ac

b) Substitution and Computations

Solving for angle C or D

2 2 2
a +b – c
cos C =
2 ab

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 2 2 2
28 + 19 – 40
cos C =
2(28)(19)

784+361 – 1600
cos C = 1064

−455
cos C = 1064
cos C = −0.427632
C = cos-1 −0.427632
C = 115.320 = 115019’

D =115019’
Solving for angle B or A

28 cm 64041’ ( A
0
360 – 2C D
B= ` a=shorter diagonal
2 19 cm
0 0 '
360 – 2(115 19 ) 19cm
B=
2
B =64041’
B 28 cm C
A = 64041’

Solving for the shorter diagonal a

64041’ (
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cosA B c=28 cm A

a = √ 192 +282 – 2 (19 )( 28 ) cos 64 0 41'

b=19cm
a = √ 361+784−2 ( 19 ) ( 28 ) (0.427621) a

a = √ 361+784−454.99
C
a = √ 690.01

a = 26.27 cm

EVALUATION

Show your solution in answering the following:

1. Solve the missing parts and the area of the oblique triangle given the following:
a. a=16, A =670, B = 580
b. A = 280, b=5, a = 7
c. A =8307’, b = 38 , c = 87
d. a= 8, b=3, c=7

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 2. The diagonal of a parallelogram is 27.32 and forms angles of 970 and 2607’ with the sides.
Find the sides.
3. Two lighthouses are 6 miles apart. From a boat 3 miles from one of them, the lighthouses
subtend an angle of 510. How far is the boat from the other lighthouse?
4. A lighthouse is 14 miles east if a dock. A ship sails N 330 E from the dock. What will be
its bearing from the lighthouse after having sailed 10 miles?
5. Three circles with radius of 27, 38 and 42 respectively are tangent to each other. Find the
angles of the triangle formed by joining the centers.

SUGGESTED READINGS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Derivation of the law of sines and law of cosines

Proponents of the sine law and cosine law

Life and works of Heron

REFERENCES

Reyes, E. 1979. Plane Trigonometry. Cacho Hermanos Inc., Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

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