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Spherical Trigonometry
Spherical Trigonometry
Spherical excess
E=A+B+C−180∘E=A+B+C−180∘
or
tan14E=tan12s tan12(s−a) tan12(s−b) tan12(s−c)−−−−−−−−−−−−
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−√tan14E=tan12s tan12(s−a) tan12
(s−b) tan12(s−c)
Where s=12(a+b+c)s=12(a+b+c)
Spherical defect
D=360∘−(a+b+c)D=360∘−(a+b+c)
Note:
In spherical trigonometry, earth is assumed to be a perfect
sphere. One minute (0° 1') of arc from the center of the earth
has a distance equivalent to one (1) nautical mile (6080 feet)
on the arc of great circle on the surface of the earth.
1 minute of arc = 1 nautical mile
1 nautical mile = 6080 feet
1 statute mile = 5280 feet
1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour
A¯=90∘−AA¯=90∘−A
B¯=90∘−BB¯=90∘−B
c¯=90∘−cc¯=90∘−c
Napier’s Rules
SIN-COOP Rule
In the Napier’s circle, the sine of any middle part is equal to
product of the cosines of its opposite parts.
SIN-TAAD Rule
In the Napier’s circle, the sine of any middle part is equal to
the product of the tangents of its adjacent parts.
Problem
Solve for the spherical triangle whose parts are a = 73°, b =
62°, and C = 90°.
tan(90∘−A)=sin62∘tan73∘tan(90∘−A)=sin62∘tan73∘
90∘−A=15.11∘90∘−A=15.11∘
A=74.89∘A=74.89∘ answer
90∘−c=7.89∘90∘−c=7.89∘
c=82.11∘c=82.11∘ answer
tan(90∘−B)=sin73∘tan62∘tan(90∘−B)=sin73∘tan62∘
90∘−B=26.95∘90∘−B=26.95∘
B=63.05∘B=63.05∘ answer