Teach A Level Maths

Vol. 1: AS Core Modules

34: A Trig Formula for the

Area of a Triangle

Christine Crisp

Trigonometry

Module C2

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Trigonometry
3 Trig Ratios: A reminder
In a right angled triangle, the 3 trig ratios for an
angle x are defined as follows:
hypotenuse

sin x

opposite
hypotenuse

opposite

Trigonometry
3 Trig Ratios: A reminder
In a right angled triangle, the 3 trig ratios for an
angle x are defined as follows:
hypotenuse

adjacent

cos x

adjacent
hypotenuse

Trigonometry
3 Trig Ratios: A reminder
In a right angled triangle, the 3 trig ratios for an
angle x are defined as follows:
opposite

adjacent

tan x

opposite
adjacent

Trigonometry
3 Trig Ratios: A reminder
Using the trig ratios we can find unknown angles and
sides of a right angled triangle, provided that, as
well as the right angle, we know the following:
either 1 side and 1 angle
or 2 sides

Trigonometry
3 Trig Ratios: A reminder
7
sin 30
y

e.g. 1

y
30

e.g. 2

y 14

10
8

sin 30

Tip: Always start with the

trig ratio, whether or not
you know the angle.
10
tan x
8

x 51 3 (3 s.f.)

Trigonometry
Scalene Triangles
We will now find a formula for the area of a
triangle that is not right angled, using 2 sides and
1 angle.

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.

a, b and c are the sides opposite angles A, B and C

respectively. ( This is a conventional
C
way of labelling a triangle ).

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2
Area 12 c h

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2
Area 12 c h - - - - - (1)

In ACN ,

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2

Area 12 c h - - - - - (1)
h
b
In ACN , sin A
b
A

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2

Area 12 c h - - - - - (1)
h
b
In ACN , sin A
b
b sin A h
A

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2

Area 12 c h - - - - - (1)
h
b
In ACN , sin A
b
b sin A h
Substituting for h in (1)

Area 1 c b sin A
2

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
ABC is a non-right angled triangle.
Draw the perpendicular, h, from C to BA.

1
Area
base height
2

Area 12 c h - - - - - (1)
h
b
In ACN , sin A
b
b sin A h
Substituting for h in (1)

Area 1 c b sin A
2

Area 12 bc sin A

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
Any side can be used as the base, so
Area = 12 ab sin C =

1
2

bc sin A =

The formula always uses 2

sides and the angle formed
by those sides

1
2

ca sin B

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
Any side can be used as the base, so
Area = 12 ab sin C =

1
2

1
2

bc sin A =

The formula always uses 2

sides and the angle formed
by those sides

ca sin B
C

a
c

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
Any side can be used as the base, so
Area = 12 ab sin C =

1
2

1
2

bc sin A =

The formula always uses 2

sides and the angle formed
by those sides

ca sin B
C

a
c

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
Any side can be used as the base, so
Area = 12 ab sin C =

1
2

1
2

bc sin A =

The formula always uses 2

sides and the angle formed
by those sides

ca sin B
C

a
c

Trigonometry
Example
1. Find the area of the triangle PQR.

R
80

8 cm
64

36

7 cm

Solution: We must use

the angle formed by the
2 sides with the given
lengths.

Trigonometry
Example
1. Find the area of the triangle PQR.

R
80

8 cm
36

Solution: We must use

the angle formed by the
2 sides with the given
lengths.

64

Q
7 cm
We know PQ and RQ so use angle Q

Trigonometry
Example
1. Find the area of the triangle PQR.

R
80

8 cm
64

36

Solution: We must use

the angle formed by the
2 sides with the given
lengths.

Q
7 cm
We know PQ and RQ so use angle Q

Area 21 (7) ( 8) sin 64

25 2 cm2

(3 s.f.)

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
A useful application of this formula occurs when we
have a triangle formed by 2 radii and a chord of a
circle.

A
r
C

Area 21 a b sin C
Area 1 r r sin
2

Area 21 r 2 sin
B

Trigonometry
SUMMARY
The area of triangle ABC is given by
1
2

ab sin C or 12 bc sin A

or

1
2

ca sin B

The area of a triangle formed by 2 radii of

length r of a circle and the chord joining them
is given by
1 r2
2

sin

where is the angle between the radii.

Trigonometry
Exercises
1. Find the areas of the triangles shown in the
diagrams.
Y
(b)
(a) C
36
9

cm

O
12

cm

28

radius = 4 cm.,angle XOY 122

Ans: (a) 48 5 cm2 (3 s.f.)

(b) 6 78 cm2 (3 s.f.)

Trigonometry

Trigonometry

The following slides contain repeats of

information on earlier slides, shown without
colour, so that they can be printed and
photocopied.
For most purposes the slides can be printed
as Handouts with up to 6 slides per sheet.

Trigonometry
Area of a Triangle
Any side can be used as the base, so
Area = 12 ab sin C =

1
2

1
2

bc sin A =

The formula always uses 2

sides and the angle formed
by those sides

ca sin B
C

a
c

Trigonometry
e.g. Find the area of the triangle PQR.

R
80

8 cm
64

36

Solution: We must use

the angle formed by the
2 sides with the given
lengths.

Q
7 cm
We know PQ and RQ so use angle Q

Area 21 (7) ( 8) sin 64

25 2 cm2

(3 s.f.)

Trigonometry
SUMMARY
The area of triangle ABC is given by
1
2

ab sin C or 12 bc sin A

or

1
2

ca sin B

The area of a triangle formed by 2 radii of

length r of a circle and the chord joining them
is given by
1 r2
2

sin

where is the angle between the radii.