Unit 6 Solving Oblique Triangles - Classwork

A. The Law of Sines ASA and AAS

In geometry, we learned to prove congruence of triangles that is when two triangles are exactly the same. We
used several rules to prove congruence: Angle-Side-Angle (ASA), Angle-Angle-Side (AAS), Side-Angle-Side
(SAS) and Side-Side-Side (SSS). In trigonometry, we take it a step further. For instance, if we know the values
of two angles and a side of a triangle, we can solve that triangle that is we can find the other angle and the
other sides.
We have learned to solve right triangles in Unit 3. In this section we learn how to solve oblique triangles
triangles that do not have a right angle.
First, lets start with a generalization for this section. All triangles will have 6 pieces of information 3 angles
and 3 sides. The angles are labeled A, B, and C and the sides are opposite the angles and are labeled a, b, and c.
Note that right angle trigonometry doesnt help us here. There is no right angle, thus no hypotenuse. We need
something else. That something is called the Law of Sines.
In both triangles, we drop a perpendicular h.
In both triangles we can then say :
h
h
sin A =
and sin B =
b
a
So h = bsin A and h = a sin B
It follows that a sin B = bsin A
a
b
and thus
=
sin A sin B

The Law of Sines

If ABC is a triangle with sides a, b, !
and c, then

a
b
c
=
=
sin A sin B sin C

a
b
b
c
a
c
,
and
. In each one, there
=
=
=
sin A sin B sin B sin C
sin A sin C
!
are 4 variables. If you know 3 of them, you can find the 4th.

The Law of Sines is really three laws in one:

Example 1) AAS
A = 23
B = 48
C = ________

Example 2) - ASA
!

a = 14
b = _________
c = _________

A = 72.4
B = ________
C = 38.7

a = _________
b = 3.8 in
c = _________

Most work is done on the calculator. Your job is to show what formulas you are using. To check a problem,
verify that the largest angle is opposite the largest side and the smallest angle is opposite the smallest side.
6. Oblique Triangles

-1-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

B. The Law of Sines - SSA

One of the rules for congruence is not Side Side- Angle (SSA). You may have wondered why not. The
problem with SSA is that while 2 sides and an angle may identify a triangle, it is possible that the triangle may
not exist with that information. Or it is possible that 2 sides and an angle may identify two possible triangles.
Lets examine the SSA case more in depth and find that it breaks up into 6 possible situations.
For all 6 situations, we will assume that you are given a, b, and A.

Before we actually attempt to solve a triangle in the SSA case, we must decide which of the 6 situations above
the problem form is. In most cases, a simple drawing can help us decide.
Example 3)
A = 62
B = ________
C = ________

Example 4)
a=5
b = 15
c = _________

A = 31
B = ________
C = ________

Drawing:

a = 22
b=9
c = _________

Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

6. Oblique Triangles

Triangles possible: ____

-2-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 5)

Example 6)

A = 99

a = 9.2

A = 125

a = 16

B = ________
C = ________

b = 5.5
c = _________

B = ________
C = ________

b = 30
c = _________

Drawing:

Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

Triangles possible: ____

Example 7)

Example 8)

A = 30
B = ________
C = ________

a=7
b = 14
c = _________

A = 25
B = ________
C = ________

Drawing:

a = 11
b = 14
c = _________

Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

Triangles possible: ____

Example 9)

Example 10)

A = 38
B = ________
C = ________

a = 12.9
b = 21
c = _________

A = 38
B = ________
C = ________

Drawing:

a = 13
b = 21
c = _________

Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

6. Oblique Triangles

Triangles possible: ____

-3-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

In the last two examples, we find that example 9 is not possible to draw while example 10 is not only possible,
but two triangles are possible (it is called the ambiguous case). Yet there is only a 0.1 difference in the value of
a. It is impossible to tell by eye. So how can you tell?
The answer lies in the Law of Sines. If we set up the Law of Sines with the A and B family, we get
bsin A
a sin B = bsin A and sin B =
. Since we know that the largest value of sin B is 1, we can determine
a
whether a triangle can exist.
If sin B
!=

bsin A
> 1, the triangle is impossible.
a

if sin B =

!A
bsin
< 1, there are two triangles possible.
a

So let us show that Example 9 has no triangle possible while triangle 10 has two triangles possible.
!

Example 9) - calculations

A = 38

Example 10) - calculations

a = 12.9

A = 38

B = ________
b = 21
C = ________
c = _________
bsin A
sin B =
= ________
a

a = 13

B = ________
b = 21
C = ________
c = _________
bsin A
sin B =
= ________
a

Note that the only time we need to go through this step is when it is unclear from the drawing whether the
triangle can be drawn. This occurs when there is a question when the SSA problem is situation 1 or situation 3
!
(situation is very rare as it yield a perfect right triangle.)
Another way to determine quickly if obtuse triangles are possible is to remember the fact that in any triangle,
the largest angle must always be opposite the largest side. Example 6 above clearly is impossible to draw
because angle A = 125 must be the largest angle in the triangle. Which means that side a must be the largest
side. But since a is given to be16 and b is given to be 30, the triangle is impossible.
IMPORTANT: Also note that this phenomenon only occurs in an SSA situation. ASA and AAS are always
!
defined with one and only one triangle and the Law of Sines solves this easily.
Now that we have decided how to determine whether or not an SSA problem has a solution, we need to actually
solve it. Again, lets assume that we are given a, b, and angle A and the SSA problem has only one solution.

# bsin A &
Step 1: Find angle B by using the fact that B = sin "1%
(
$ a '
Step 2: Find angle C by using the fact that A + B + C = 180 so C = 180 " A " B
Step 3: Use the Law of Sines with the A family and the C family.
a
c
a sin C
=
so c =
!
sin A sin C
sin A!
Step 4: Quickly verify your answer by checking to see the largest side is opposite
the largest angle and the smallest side is opposite the smallest angle.
!
Lets do several
problems that we examined before.
6. Oblique Triangles

-4-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 11)

Example 12)

A = 31

a = 22

A = 99

a = 9.2

B = ________
C = ________

b=9
c = _________

B = ________
C = ________

b = 5.5
c = _________

Example 13)
A = ________
B = 160
C = ________

Example 14)
a = 19
b = 28
c = _________

A = ________

a = 1 ft 10 in

B = ________
C = 4713"

b = _________
c = 2 ft 2 in

Finally, lets go through the procedure we use when you determine that there are two solutions. Remember, the
only way this can happen is if A < 90 and a < b . You draw the situation and realize that there are two ways to
bsin A
draw the triangle. When in doubt use the fact that if sin B =
> 1, the triangle is impossible and
a
bsin A !
if sin B =
< 1, there are two triangles possible.
a
!
Assuming that there are two triangles possible, here is the procedure.

1. Draw the situation. Show both triangles. "ABC will be the acute
triangle and "AB#C will be the obtuse triangle.
2. Solve "ABC first using the procedure above. (a reminder)
# bsin A &
a. Find B by using the fact that !B = sin "1%
(
$ a '
!
! b. Find C by using the fact that C = 180 " A " B
a sin C
c. Find big c by using the fact that c =
sin A
!
3. Solve "AB#C by using
the
procedure
below.
!
a. Find angle B in "BB#C by realizing that "BB#C is isosceles.
b. Find obtuse angle B in "AB#C by using the fact that "AB#C = 180 $ "BB#C
c. Find little angle C by !
using the fact that C = 180 " A " B#
!
a sin C
! c by using the fact that! c =
d. Find little
sin A !
!

!
This looks like a lot of work but triangle ABC is solved using the basic procedure for one triangle. The fact that
triangle BBC is isosceles makes solving the obtuse triangle easy.
!
6. Oblique Triangles

-5-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 13)

Example 14)

A = 25

a = 11

A = 38

a = 13

B = ________
C = ________

b = 14
c = _________

B = ________
C = ________

b = 21
c = _________

A = 25
B" = ________

a = 11
b = 14
c = _________

A = 38
B" = ________

a = 13
b = 21
c = _________

C = ________

C = ________

We have now solved triangles in the form of ASA, AAS, and if possible, SSA. That leaves us with the cases of
SAS, and SSS. Here are two examples. Explain why the Law of Sines does not help us solve them.
Example 15)

Example 16)

A = 68
B = ________
C = ________

A = ________
B = ________
C = ________

a = _________
b=8
c=5

a=4
b=7
c=9

C. The Law of Cosines

! a complete family (a family or b family, or c family) and a
Since the Law of Sines is only helpful when we have
half of a family, we need another law. That law is the Law of Cosines.

In any triangle with sides a, b,and c

and angles A, B, and C.
y 2 + k 2 = a2
2

a 2 = (c " x ) + y 2
2

a 2 = (c " bcos A) + ( bsin A)

a 2 = c2 " 2bccos A + b2 cos2 A + b2 sin 2 A

a 2 = c2 " 2bccos A + b2 cos2 A + sin 2 A

a 2 = b2 + c2 " 2bccos A
b2 = a 2 + c2 " 2accos B
c2 = a 2 + b2 " 2abcosC

Notice that like the Law of Sines, the Law of Cosines is really three laws. In SAS problems, you always use the
one for which the angle is given.
6. Oblique Triangles

-6-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

So here is the technique to solve problems in the form of SAS. Note that no drawing is really necessary.
Step 1) Use the Law of Cosines for which you are given the angle. For instance, if you are
given angle A, you will use a 2 = b2 + c2 " 2bccos A which allows you to say that
a = b2 + c2 " 2bccos A . Input directly into your calculator.
Step 2) Now that we have a complete family, we now switch to the Law of Sines. Only
use the Law of Cosines
once in a problem. IMPORTANT: to avoid a possible
!
problem, always use the Law of Sines to find the smallest angle remaining. So use
!
the Law of Sines with your complete family and the smallest side remaining.
Step 3) You have two angles. Find the other angle by subtracting the sum of your two
known angles from 180.
Step 4) As before, verify your answers by checking that the largest angle is opposite the
largest side and the smallest angle is opposite the smallest side.

Example 17)
A = 68
B = ________
C = ________

Example 18)
A = ________
B = 14.3
C = ________

a = _________
b=8
c=5

a=6
b = _________
c = 25

The technique for solving problems in the form of SSS is similar in that we have to use the Law of Cosines.
But since we have 3 sides and no angles, we must solve for an Angle first.
Step 1) You can use any of the 3 Laws of Cosines, However to avoid a potential problem,
use the Law of Cosines to find the largest angle. If a is the largest side, use
b2 + c2 " a 2
a 2 = b2 + c2 " 2bccos A which allows you to say that cos A =
.
2bc
Calculate the value of the right side of this equation on your calculator and take
the inverse cosine of that answer to find A.
!
Step 2) Now that we have a complete family, we now switch to the Law of Sines. Only
use the Law of Cosines once in a problem. !
So use the Law of Sines with your
complete family and any other half family.
Step 3) You have two angles. Find the other angle by subtracting the sum of your two
known angles from 180.
Step 4) As before, verify your answers by checking that the largest angle is opposite the
largest side and the smallest angle is opposite the smallest side.

Example 17)
A = ________
B = ________
C = ________

6. Oblique Triangles

Example 18)

a=7
b=9
c = 12

A = ________
B = ________
C = ________

- 7 -!

a = 6000
b = 4000
c = 5000

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

D. Area of Oblique Triangles

There are two formulas using trigonometry that will allow us to find the area of oblique triangles based on given
1
information. Obviously, if the triangle is a right triangle, we only need both legs: Area = ( base)( height ) .
2

1
(base)(height )
2
1
Area = cbsin A
2
1
So we say Area = bcsin A
2
1
Similarly, Area = acsin B
2
1
Similarly, Area = absin C
2
Area =

This formula works when you have two sides and the included angle (SAS). But frequently you have three
sides of a triangle and wish to determine the area. In that case, we have another formula that will determine the
!
area of that triangle. It is called Herons (pronounced Heros) formula.

Heron's Formula
If "ABC has sides a, b, and c, the area of the triangle is given by
Area = s( s # a )( s # b)( s # c) where s =

a+ b+c
2

Find the areas of the following triangles:

Example 19) !
A = 68
B = ________
C = ________

Example 20)
A = ________
B = 14.3
C = ________

a = _________
b=8
c=5

Area = ____________

A = ________
B = ________
C = ________

Area = _____________
!

Example 21)
a=7
b=9
c = 12

Example 22)
A = ________
B = ________
C = ________

Area = ____________
6. Oblique Triangles

a=6
b = _________
c = 25

a = 6000
b = 4000
c = 5000

Area = _____________
- 8 -!

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 23)

Example 24)

A = 31

a = 22

A = 25

a = 11

B = ________
C = ________

b=9
c = _________

B = ________
C = ________

b = 14
c = _________

Area = ____________

Area = _____________

E. Applications of Solving Oblique Triangles

Finally, Now that we can solve oblique triangles and find their area, we turn to applications of these topics.
When solving applications, always following these procedures.
1) Draw a picture describing the situation.
2) Label the picture with variables and be sure you use these variables in your
solution.
3) Identify whether the resulting triangle is an ASA, AAS, or SSA situation requiring
the Law of Sines or an SAS or SSS requiring the Law of Cosines. Sometimes you
will have to use these laws first and then use right angle trigonometry.
"
%
1
4) If an area is required decide whether the SAS formula $ Area = bcsin A' is
2
#
&
needed or Herons formula where SSS is required.
5) Always remember to answer the question(s) asked.
6) Always remember to supply proper units to the answer(s). Circle the answer(s).
!
Example 25) A tree leans 7 to the vertical. At a point 40 feet from the tree (on the side closest to the lean), the
angle of elevation to the top of the tree is 24 . Find the height of the tree.

!
!

Example 26) Two markers A and B are on the same side of a river are 58 feet apart. A third marker is located
across the river at point C. A surveyor determines that "CAB = 68 and "ABC = 52 .
a) What is the distance between points A and C?

b) What is the distance across the river?

6. Oblique Triangles

-9-

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 27) A hot air balloon is hovering over Valley Forge. Person A views
the balloon at an angle of elevation of 25 while person B views
the balloon at an angle of elevation of 40 . If A and B are 4000
feet apart, find the height of the balloon.

!
!

Example 28) Do the problem above with the same angles and distances but
assume that the people are now on the same side of the
balloon as seen in the accompanying picture.

Example 29) Two tornado spotters are on a road running east-west and are 25 miles apart. The west man spots
a tornado at bearing N 37E and the east man spots the same tornado on a bearing of N 56W .
How far is the tornado from each man and how far is the tornado from the road?

6. Oblique Triangles

- 10 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Example 30) A small ship travels from a lighthouse whose light only shines east on a bearing of N 70E a
distance of 8 miles. It then makes a turn to the right and travels for 5 miles and finds itself
directly in the beam of the lighthouses light. How far from the lighthouse is the ship?

Example 31) On a regulation baseball field, the four bases form a square whose sides are 90 feet long. The
center of the pitching mound is 60.5 feet from home plate. How far is the mound from first base?

Example 32) To determine the distance across a lake AB, a surveyor goes to
point C where he can measure the distance from C to A and from
C to B as well as the angle ACB . If AB is 865 feet and BC is
188 feet and "ACB = 4218# , find the distance AB across the lake.

!
!

Example 33) Circular tracts of land with diameters 900 meters, 700 meters and 600
meters are tangent to each other externally. There are houses directly
in the center of each circle. What are the angles of the triangle
connecting the houses and what is the area of that triangle?

6. Oblique Triangles

- 11 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

Unit 6 Solving Oblique Triangles - Homework

1. Solve each of the following triangles. 3 decimal places and decimal degrees unless DMS given.
A = 62

a. B = 78
C = ________

b = 11
c = _________

a = 19.4
b = _________
c = _________

A = 19.2
c. B = ________
C = 8.7

a = _________
b = _________
c = 12.4

A = 122.5
d. B = 38.2
C = ________

a = _________
b = _________
c = 2.3 ft

A = 1915"
e. B = ________
C = 5648"

A = _______
b. B = 72.4
C = 38.7

a = _________

A = _______
f. B = 8249"
C = 7239"

a = 1.01
b = _________
c = _________

a = _________
b = 3.84 mm
c = _________

2. Determine how many triangles are possible in the following SSA situations. Do not actually solve the
!
triangles.
A = 152

a. B = ________
C = ________

a = 42

A = 31

b. B = ________
C = ________

b = 55
c = _________

Drawing:
!

a=6
b = 4.5
c = _________

Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

6. Oblique Triangles

Triangles possible: ____

- 12 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

A = 151
c. B = ________
C = ________

a = 125
b = 79
c = _________

A = 68
d. B = ________
C = ________

Drawing:

Drawing:

Triangles Possible: ____

A = 27
e. B = ________
C = ________

Triangles possible: ____

a = 12
b = 17
c = _________

A = 58
f. B = ________
C = ________

Drawing:

a = 25
b = 30
c = _________

Drawing:

Triangles Possible: ____

A = ________
g. B = 122
C = ________

a = 12
b = 55
c = _________

Triangles possible: ____

a = 40
b = 38
c = _________

A = ________
h. B = 142
C = ________

a = _________
b = 19
c=6

Dont get upset that you arent given A, a, and b in exercises g - j. You can still draw the pictures.
Drawing:
Drawing:
!

Triangles Possible: ____

6. Oblique Triangles

Triangles possible: ____

- 13 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

A = ________
i. B = ________
C = 3612"

a = _________
b=6
c = 16

A = ________
j. B = ________
C = 2649"

Drawing:

a = _________
b = 50
c = 38

Drawing:

Triangles Possible: ____

Triangles possible: ____

3. These are some of the same problems in section 2 above those that have 1 or 2 solutions. Solve them. If
they have two solutions, you will need to make another chart.
A = 31
a. B = ________
C = ________

a=6
b = 4.5
c = _________

A = 151
b. B = ________
C = ________

a = 125
b = 79
c = _________

A = ________
c. B = 142
C = ________

6. Oblique Triangles

A = ________
d. B = ________
C = 3612"

a = _________
b = 19
c=6

a = _________
b=6
c = 16

- 14 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

A = 27
e. B = ________
C = ________

A = ________
f. B = ________
C = 10114"

a = 12
b = 17
c = _________

a = _________
b = 14 feet
c = 5 yards

A = ________
g. B = ________
C = 2649"

a = _________
b = 50

A = 58
h. B = ________
C = ________

c = 38

a = 25
b = 30
c = _________

4. Solve the following triangles using the Law of Cosines (and then the law of Sines).
A = ________
a. B = 42
C = ________

a = 22
b = _________
c = 16

a = 99
b = 41
c = ________

A = ________
d. B = ________

a = 1 yard
b = 2 feet

A = ________
c. B = ________
C = ________

a = 28
b = 42
c = 55

C = ________

c = 14 inches

!
A = ________
e. B = ________
C = ________

A = ________
b. B = ________
C = 123

6. Oblique Triangles

a = 4500 mm
b = 5000 mm
c = 4000 mm

A = ________
f. B = ________
C = ________

- 15 -

a=7
b=5
c = 20

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

5. Find the areas of the following triangles.

A = ________
a. B = 42
C = ________

a = 22
b = _________
c = 16

A = ________
b. B = ________
C = 123

Area = ________________
!

a = 99
b = 41
c = ________

Area = _________________
!

A = ________
c. B = ________
C = ________

a = 28
b = 42
c = 55

A = ________
d. B = ________
C = ________

Area = ________________

a = 1 yard
b = 2 feet
c = 14 inches

Area = _________________
!

!
A = ________
e. B = ________
C = ________

a = 4500 mm
b = 5000 mm
c = 4000 mm

A = ________
f. B = ________
C = ________

Area = ________________
!

a=7
b=5
c = 20

Area = _________________
!

A = 151
g. B = ________
C = ________

a = 125
b = 79
c = _________

A = 58
h. B = ________
C = ________

Area = ________________
!

a = 25
b = 30
c = _________

Area = _________________
!

6. Two roads intersect at an angle of 52.7 with a field in between. A girl is walking on one of the roads 1.5
miles from their intersection. Her house lies 0.85 miles from the intersection along the other road. If she
cuts across the field to her house, how much walking mileage will she save?

6. Oblique Triangles

- 16 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

7. Kurt wants to sail his boat from a marina to an island 15 miles east of the marina. Along the course, there
are several small islands they must avoid. He sails first on a heading of 70 and then on a heading of 120
(remember that headings angle measures rotated clockwise from the north). What is the total distance he
travels before reaching the island?

8. A balloon is sighted from two points on level ground. From point A, the angle of elevation is 18 and from
point B the angle of elevation is 12 . A and B are 8.4 miles apart. Find the height of the balloon if a) A
and B are on opposite sides of the balloon and b) A and B are on the same sides of the balloon.

!
!

9. A golfer takes two putts to get the ball into the hole. The first putt rolls the ball 10.3 feet in the northwest
direction and the second putt sends the ball due north 3.8 feet into the hole. How far was the ball originally
from the hole?

10. Two markers A and B are on the same side of a canyon rim and are
72 feet apart. A third marker is located across the rim at point C. A
surveyor determines that "BAC = 7012# and "ABC = 5138#. Find
the distance between A and C.

6. Oblique Triangles

- 17 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz

11. A blimp is sighted simultaneously by two observers: A at the top of a 650-foot tower and B at the base of
the tower. Find the distance of the blimp from observer A if the angle of elevation as viewed by A is 31
and the angle of elevation as viewed by B is 58 . Find the height of the blimp also.

!
!

12. As I complete the Boston Marathon, I view the top of the Prudential Center building at an angle of
elevation of 729" . I run one mile closer and now view the angle of elevation as 1128" . How tall is the
Prudential building and how far away from it am I now?

13. A triangular piece of land in a park is to be made into a flower-bed.

Stakes have been driven into the ground at the vertices of the triangle
which we will call B, E, and D. The gardener can only locate the two
stakes at B and E. BE measures 6.2 meters, and the gardener recalls that
the angle at B is 60 and the side opposite the 60 angle is to be 5.5
meters in length. Based on this information how far from B should the
gardener search for the missing stake?

6. Oblique Triangles

- 18 -

www.mastermathmentor.com - Stu Schwartz