Unit #3 – Triangles

Given Equations:
a b c sin A sin B sin C
The Law of Sines: = = OR = =
sin A sin B sin C a b c

The Law of Cosines: c 2 = a 2 + b 2 − 2ab cos C

1 a 2 sin B sin C
Area: K = ab sin C K =
2 2 sin A
a +b +c
OR K = s ( s −a )( s −b)( s −c) ; where s =
2

For each triangle find the indicated side length or angle using whichever law necessary.
Give all side lengths to one decimal place and all angles to the nearest degree.

1. (3 marks)
2. (3 marks)

3. In ∆ ABC A = 98°, a = 15mm and B = 64°. Solve for side c. (4 marks)

4. In ∆ ESP e= 12 cm, p = 15 cm and s = 17 cm. Solve for the biggest angle. (5 marks)
5. In ∆ ABC A = 30° and b = 18 cm.
a) What must side “a” be to create one right triangle? (1 mark)

b) What range must side “a” be in to create no triangles? (1 mark)

c) What range must side “a” be in to create 2 triangles? (1 mark)

For the following triangle(s) state (a) how many solutions there are, and (b) solve for
them. If there are no solutions the question is worth 1 mark, if there is one solution the
question is worth 3 marks and if there are 2 solutions it is worth 6 marks. This section is
worth 10 marks overall. (So the hint is there should be one of each! Be careful!)
6. In ∆ ABC A = 47°, a = 12 cm and b = 10 cm.
7.

8.
9. If a triangular flag measures 2m by 3m by 5m what area of cloth is required to make
it? (In other words: what is the area of the flag? (3 marks)

10. At a construction site in downtown Vancouver two tunnels are excavated starting at
the same point. One tunnel is 400 m long and the other tunnel is 250 m long. Find
the distance, to the nearest meter, between the ends of the tunnels if the angle
between them is 84°. (4 marks)
Bonus – For a possible 2 bonus marks completely prove the Law of Sines. For a
possible 4 bonus marks completely prove the Law of Cosines. Only one bonus
will be given (in other words you can’t get 6 bonus marks).