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| Student Learning Objectives: |
|---|
|
| | 10 Theory slides |
| | 10 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Try your knowledge on these topics.
Consider the triangle with vertices A, B, and C.
On a June night, Zosia observes an astronomical asterism, which is called the Summer Triangle.
The applet below shows two different cases for a triangle with vertices A, B, and C. Case I shows the lengths of two sides and the measure of their included angle. Case II shows the lengths of all three sides.
When the Law of Sines cannot be used to solve triangles, the Law of Cosines may be applied.
Consider △ ABC with sides of length a, b, and c, which are respectively opposite the angles with measures A, B, and C.
The following equations hold true with regard to △ ABC.
a^2=b^2+c^2-2bc cos(A)
b^2=a^2+c^2-2ac cos(B)
c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab cos(C)
By the definition of an altitude, both △ ADB and △ CDB are right triangles. By applying the Pythagorean Theorem to △ CDB and △ ADB, two equations can be obtained. Equation I: & a^2=(b-x)^2+h^2 [0.6em] Equation II: & c^2= x^2+h^2 The binomial in Equation I can be expanded.
Notice that Equation II says that x^2 + h^2 is equal to c^2. Therefore, the expanded form of Equation I can be rewritten by using the Substitution Property of Equality.
x^2+h^2= c^2
Commutative Property of Addition
Now, the x-term in this equation can be written using the cosine ratio.
In △ ADB, the cosine of A is the ratio of x to c. cos A = x/c ⇔ x = c cos A Finally, ccos A can be substituted for x into a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bx. By doing so, the formula for the Law of Cosines is obtained. a^2 & = b^2+c^2 - 2b x a^2 & = b^2+c^2 - 2b ccos A
The altitude of the triangle is the perpendicular segment from B to the extension of the base AC. Let D be the endpoint of this segment and x be the distance from D to A.
From the definition of an altitude, it follows that △BDA and △BDC are right triangles. Two equations can be obtained by applying the Pythagorean Theorem to both triangles. Equation I: & a^2=h^2+(b+x)^2 [0.6em] Equation II: & c^2= h^2+x^2 Expand the binomial in Equation I.
(a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2
Commutative Property of Addition
From Equation II, h^2+x^2 is equal to c^2. Therefore, the expanded form of Equation I can be rewritten by using the Substitution Property of Equality.
Note that A and 180^(∘)-A are supplementary angles. Using the cosine ratio of 180^(∘)-A then gives an expression for the x-term.
In △BDA, the cosine of 180^(∘)-A is the ratio of x to c. cos(180^(∘)-A) = x/c ⇕ x = c cos(180^(∘)-A) By the Sine and Cosine of Supplementary Values Angles, cos(180^(∘)-A) and cosA have opposite values. x=ccos(180^(∘)-A) ⇕ x=- ccosA Finally, by substituting - ccosA for x into a^2=b^2+c^2+2bx, the Law of Cosines is obtained.
x= - ccosA
a(- b)=- a * b
In a triangle, when the lengths of two sides and the measure of their included angle are known, the missing side length can be found by applying the Law of Cosines.
Kriz wants to determine the distance between two trees on the other side of the river. Kriz uses a tool that measures the distances to objects. The tool is able to find the distances to each tree as 4 meters and 3.5 meters.
The angle between these sides, from where the Kriz stands with the measuring tool, measures 67^(∘). Find the distance between the trees, and round the answer to the nearest tenth of a meter.
The Law of Cosines relates the lengths of the sides and the cosine of one of the angles. Therefore, the missing side length of the triangle can be found by using this law. a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2 bc cos A The next step is to substitute b=4, c=3.5, and A= 67^(∘) into the equation. Then, solve for a.
Substitute values
Calculate power
Multiply
Add terms
Use a calculator
sqrt(LHS)=sqrt(RHS)
Use a calculator
Round to 1 decimal place(s)
Note that only the principal root was considered because a side length cannot be negative. Therefore, the distance between the trees is about 4.2 meters.
When all the three side lengths of a triangle are known, the Law of Cosines can be used to find the measure of the angles.
Ramsha lives near a lighthouse. As she likes to observe the landscape, she notices that the light rays coming out of the lighthouse create an angle. She decides to ask the lighthouse keeper, but he insists on not telling her the measure of the angle. She sees a blueprint on the desk behind him, and quickly writes the lengths shown in the diagram before the grumpy keeper blocks her view!
Help Ramsha calculate the measure of each angle of the triangle formed by the light rays. Round the answers to the nearest degree.
The measure of the three angles will be found one at a time.
To find the measure of ∠ L, the Law of Cosines can be used. l^2 = m^2 + k^2 -2 mk cos L Substitute 35 for l, 105 for m, and 130 for k into the equation.
Substitute values
Calculate power
Multiply
Add terms
LHS-27 925=RHS-27 925
.LHS /(- 27 300).=.RHS /(- 27 300).
- a/- b=a/b
Rearrange equation
a/b=.a /300./.b /300.
Now, take the inverse cosine of both sides of the equation.
cos^(-1)(LHS) = cos^(-1)(RHS)
The angle L measures about 12^(∘).
Since the ratio of the sine of an angle to the length of its opposite side is constant, the following proportion can be written. sin L/l=sin M/m ⇒ sin 12^(∘)/35=sin M/105 The equation can be solved for M.
LHS * 105=RHS* 105
Rearrange equation
sin^(-1)(LHS) = sin^(-1)(RHS)
Use a calculator
Round to nearest integer
The measure of ∠ M is about 39^(∘).
By the Triangle Angle Sum Theorem, the sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180^(∘). m ∠ K + 12 ^(∘) + 39^(∘) = 180^(∘) m ∠ K = 129^(∘) Therefore, all measures of △ KLM were found.
In △ ABC, all three side lengths and the measure of the angle at C are given. Examine how the length of AB changes as the measure of ∠ C varies.
Consider △ ABC, in which all three sides lengths and the measure of the angle at C are known. Let a, b, and c be the lengths of the sides opposite A, B, and C, respectively. In the following applet, the values of a^2+b^2 and c^2 are shown. Move the slider to change the measure of ∠ C.
| m∠ C | c^2 = a^2 + b^2- 2ab cos C | Relationship between a^2 + b^2 and c^2 | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| m∠ C < 90^(∘) | c^2 = a^2 + b^2- 2ab cos C_(> 0) | c^2 < a^2 + b^2 | If ∠ C is acute, not too many conclusions can be made. The opposite side to ∠ C can be the largest side, the shortest side, or none. |
| m∠ C = 90^(∘) | c^2 = a^2 + b^2- 2ab cos 90^(∘)_(= 0) | c^2 = a^2 + b^2 | The cosine of 90^(∘) is 0. In this case, the Law of Cosines becomes the Pythagorean Theorem. This means that the opposite side to ∠ C is the largest side of the triangle. |
| 90^(∘) < m∠ C < 180^(∘) | c^2 = a^2 + b^2- 2ab cos C_(< 0) | c^2 > a^2 + b^2 | If ∠ C is obtuse, its measure is greater than the measures of ∠ A and ∠ C. Therefore, its opposite side is the largest side of the triangle. |
Once Diego completed a grueling month-long shift as a lighthouse keeper, he decided to fly from San Juan to New York. After flying for 3 hours on a straight path, he felt that the pilot made a course correction, then continued to fly for about 2 more hours on a path still toward New York. On Diego's return flight, the pilot flew on a straight path, without any change in direction, from New York to San Juan.
The average speed is the distance traveled divided by the amount of time spent traveling. Speed = Distance/Time The flight from S to D takes 3 hours and the speed of the plane is 330 miles per hour. Substitute these values into the formula and solve for SD.
The distance covered in the first 3 hours of the flight is 990 miles. Similarly, the distance covered in the next 2 hours can be calculated.
| Speed = Distance/Time | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | SD | DN |
| Substitution | 330 = SD/3 | 330 = DN/2 |
| Calculation | SD = 990 mi | DN = 660 mi |
Since the plane was deflected 10^(∘) from the first route, the measure of the angle SDN is 170^(∘).
Now, in △ SDN, the lengths of two sides and the measure of their included angle are known. Therefore, the Law of Cosines can be used. Let d, s, and n be the lengths of the sides opposite D, S, and N, respectively. d^2 = s^2 + n^2 -2sn cos D Substitute 660 for s, 990 for n, and 170^(∘) for D.
Substitute values
Calculate power
Add terms
Use a calculator
sqrt(LHS)=sqrt(RHS)
Use a calculator
Approximate to nearest hundred
Since a length cannot be negative, only the principal root is considered here. Therefore, the distance from San Juan to New York is about 1600 miles.
In this course, the use of the Law of Cosines in solving any type of triangle has been studied. By using this law, the challenge presented at the beginning can be solved.
Zosia knows the lengths of two sides of a triangle and the measure of their included angle. Let A, V, and D denote the vertices of the Summer Triangle.
What is the angular distance between Deneb and Vega? Round the answer to the nearest integer.
Substitute these values and solve for a.
Substitute values
Calculate power
Multiply
Add terms
Use a calculator
sqrt(LHS)=sqrt(RHS)
Use a calculator
Round to nearest integer
The angular distance between Deneb and Vega is about 24 angular units.
LaShay and Jordan want to know the distance between two locations, A and B, that are on opposite ends of a forest. However, they find it difficult to measure this distance because there is not a walking path through the forest. Brilliantly, they come up with the idea to make the following measurements.
Use the given information to determine the length of AB. Round the final distance to the nearest meter.
The sketch can be viewed as two triangles, △ ADC and △ ABC, where we know all three sides in △ ADC and two sides in △ ABC. Let's visualize this.
Since we know all sides of △ ADC, we can use the Law of Cosine to find the measure of ∠ C. Notice that this angle is shared by both triangles.
Let's add this to the diagram and turn our attention to △ ABC.
We can use the Law of Cosine once more to find the length of AB.
The length of AB is about 180 meters.
Since we know two sides in the triangle and their included angle, we can use the Law of Cosines to solve for the unknown side.
The unknown side is about 1.6 inches.
Again, we know two sides and the included angle which means we have enough information to find the opposite side of the angle by using the Law of Cosines.
The side labeled c is about 2.8 inches.
Including everything on the yard, what is the total area of the yard?
Round the answer to the nearest square meter.
To determine the area of the yard using trigonometry, we need to know the measures of at least two sides and their included angle. From the diagram, we know the length of each of the triangle's sides. We can then use the Law of Cosines to determine the measure of any of its angles.
Now we can use the formula for calculating area of a triangle using sine.
The area is about 2927 square meters.
We see from the triangle that all three sides are known. Those lengths can be used to determine m∠ C using the Law of Cosines.
As in Part A, we can use the Law of Cosine to find the measure of ∠ B.
While waiting for the bus, Tiffaniqua is trying to find the side labeled b in the triangle ABC.
She attempts to solve for b by using the Law of Cosine.
However, something is wrong in her calculations. Read her notes and decide which step Tiffaniqua made a mistake. Explain your reasoning.
Let's use matching colors to identify corresponding sides and vertices.
In the Law of Cosine, the side length we substitute into the left-hand side must be opposite the angle substituted into the right-hand side.
Examples
[-0.8em]
a^2=b^2+c^2-2bccos A [1em]
b^2=a^2+c^2-2accos B [1em]
c^2=a^2+b^2-2abcos C
However, Tiffaniqua has substituted b as if it is opposite the 36^(∘) angle when it actually is opposite of the side labeled 2.
b^2= 2^2+ 3^2-2( 2)( 3)cos 36^(∘) *
However, the correct method would be to use the opposite side c to the angle C as the value on the left-hand side of the equation.
2^2= b^2+ 3^2-2( b)( 3)cos 36^(∘) ✓
This implies that Step 1 was the mistake.