Geometry and

trigonometry
Triangle trigonometry
Right angle triangles: How to label

H H
O A

A O
O A

H
 SOH CAH TOA
B X cm O A

1. Label each side

2. Figure out what

the Q is asking
for!
A 51
  11 cm
H
3. Decide whether
its SOH CAH or
TOA C

4. Use the ratio

Pythagoras theorem
 

c
a/b
Another theorem that we
a/b used to solve unknowns in
right angled triangles given
two sides and one unknown
HL core book chapter 7
SL core book chapter 7
Non-right angle triangle
The Sine rule is used when we have 2 angles and one of the sides opposite to a
known angle. You can use the sine rule to fine the other opposite side.

  𝒂 𝒃 𝒄 TO SOLVE
For finding sides = =
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑨 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑩 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑪
C   𝑋 6
=
𝑆𝑖𝑛 15 𝑆𝑖𝑛 34
 
34 X cm
 X

 15
A X = 2.8 cm
6
 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑨 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑩 𝑺𝒊𝒏 𝑪 For finding angles
= =
𝒂 𝒃 𝒄

  𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝐴 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐶
=
C
𝑎 𝑐
  43
𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑆𝑖𝑛 43

TO SOLVE
a  
2.3cm ¿ =
2.3 3.5
  𝑆𝑖𝑛 43
x  ¿ 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑥= × 2.3
c A 3.5
3.5cm
 Sin x =0.44817
x = (0.44817)
x =26.6
The cosine rule is used when we have 2 sides and 1 angle in between, and this is
used to find the other side.
2
 𝑐 =𝑎 2+ 𝑏2 − 2 𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝐶 )

Used to find third side

8cm b 1) Write out the rule

TO SOLVE
2) substitute

  x7x8x
C X
 
45
c 3) Solve
2
𝑎
  =46+ 64 −112 × cos 45

7cm
a √  𝑎2 =√ 33.8 … .
  A
   𝒂𝟐 +𝒃𝟐 − 𝒄 𝟐 The formula is rearranged and used to find missing
𝐜𝐨𝐬 ⁡(𝑪 )= angles when we have all 3 sides
𝟐 𝒂𝒃

1) Write out the rule

TO SOLVE
2) substitute
6 mm
C cos
  C

𝜃
 
3) Solve
5mm
4mm cos
  C

 
HL core book chapter 9
SL core book chapter 8