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a b
----------- = ----------- ; then a × sinB = b × sinA and
sin A sin B
b × sin A b × sin A
a = -------------------- ; sin B = --------------------
sin B a
a × sin B a × sin B
b = -------------------- ; sin A = --------------------
sin A b
a
In like manner, ---------- c
- = ----------- and
sin A sin C
a × sin C-
a × sinC = c ×Sin A; hence sin A = --------------------
c
b c
- = ----------- or b × sin C = c × sin B
and ----------
sin B sin C
Thus, twelve formulas may be derived. As a general rule, only
Formula (1) is remembered, and special formulas are derived
from it as required.
The law of cosines states that, in any triangle, the square of any
side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides minus
twice their product multiplied by the cosine of the angle between
them. These relations are stated as formulas thus:
2 2 2
a = b + c – 2bc × cos A or
(1)
2 2
a = b + c – 2bc × cos A
2 2 2
b = a + c – 2ac × cos B or
(2)
2 2
b = a + c – 2ac × cos B
2 2 2
c = a + b – 2ab × cos C or
(3)
2 2
c = a + b – 2ab × cos C
2 2 2
By solving (1), a = b + c – 2bc × cos A for cos A,
2 2 2
2bc × cos A = b + c – a (transposing)
OBLIQUE TRIANGLES 85
2 2 2
b + c – a-
cos A = ----------------------------
2bc
In like manner, formulas for cos B and cos C may be found.
1.36808 1.36808
tan A = ---------------------------
- = ---------------------- = – 1.80305
3 – 3.75876 – 0.75876
The final result is negative because a positive number (1.36808)
is divided by a negative number (−0.75876). The tangents of
OBLIQUE TRIANGLES 87
angles greater than 90 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees are
negative. To illustrate an angle whose tangent is negative, enter the
value −1.80305 in the calculator and find the corresponding angle,
which −60.986558 degrees, or −60 degrees, 59 minutes, 59 sec-
onds. Because the tangent is negative, angle A must be subtracted
from 180 degrees, giving 119.01344 degrees, or 119 degrees, 0
minutes, 49 seconds as the angle. Now angle B is found from the
formula,
B = 180° – ( A + C ) = 180° – ( 119°0′11″ + 20° )
= 180° – 139°0′11″ = 40°59′49″