# 10.1 Non-right triangles: law of sines

 Page 1 / 10
In this section, you will:
• Use the Law of Sines to solve oblique triangles.
• Find the area of an oblique triangle using the sine function.
• Solve applied problems using the Law of Sines.

Suppose two radar stations located 20 miles apart each detect an aircraft between them. The angle of elevation measured by the first station is 35 degrees, whereas the angle of elevation    measured by the second station is 15 degrees. How can we determine the altitude of the aircraft? We see in [link] that the triangle formed by the aircraft and the two stations is not a right triangle, so we cannot use what we know about right triangles. In this section, we will find out how to solve problems involving non-right triangles .

## Using the law of sines to solve oblique triangles

In any triangle, we can draw an altitude    , a perpendicular line from one vertex to the opposite side, forming two right triangles. It would be preferable, however, to have methods that we can apply directly to non-right triangles without first having to create right triangles.

Any triangle that is not a right triangle is an oblique triangle    . Solving an oblique triangle means finding the measurements of all three angles and all three sides. To do so, we need to start with at least three of these values, including at least one of the sides. We will investigate three possible oblique triangle problem situations:

1. ASA (angle-side-angle) We know the measurements of two angles and the included side. See [link] .
2. AAS (angle-angle-side) We know the measurements of two angles and a side that is not between the known angles. See [link] .
3. SSA (side-side-angle) We know the measurements of two sides and an angle that is not between the known sides. See [link] .

Knowing how to approach each of these situations enables us to solve oblique triangles without having to drop a perpendicular to form two right triangles. Instead, we can use the fact that the ratio of the measurement of one of the angles to the length of its opposite side will be equal to the other two ratios of angle measure to opposite side. Let’s see how this statement is derived by considering the triangle shown in [link] .

Using the right triangle relationships, we know that $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\alpha =\frac{h}{b}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\beta =\frac{h}{a}.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ Solving both equations for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}h\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ gives two different expressions for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}h.$

We then set the expressions equal to each other.

Similarly, we can compare the other ratios.

Collectively, these relationships are called the Law of Sines .

$\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\alpha }{a}=\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\beta }{b}=\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\lambda }{c}$

Note the standard way of labeling triangles: angle $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\alpha \text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ (alpha) is opposite side $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}a;\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ angle $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\beta \text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ (beta) is opposite side $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}b;\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ and angle $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\gamma \text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ (gamma) is opposite side $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}c.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ See [link] .

While calculating angles and sides, be sure to carry the exact values through to the final answer. Generally, final answers are rounded to the nearest tenth, unless otherwise specified.

## Law of sines

Given a triangle with angles and opposite sides labeled as in [link] , the ratio of the measurement of an angle to the length of its opposite side will be equal to the other two ratios of angle measure to opposite side. All proportions will be equal. The Law of Sines    is based on proportions and is presented symbolically two ways.

$\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\alpha }{a}=\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\beta }{b}=\frac{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\gamma }{c}$
$\frac{a}{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\alpha }=\frac{b}{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\beta }=\frac{c}{\mathrm{sin}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\gamma }$

To solve an oblique triangle, use any pair of applicable ratios.

hii
Amit
Find the possible value of 8.5 using moivre's theorem
which of these functions is not uniformly cintinuous on (0, 1)? sinx
which of these functions is not uniformly continuous on 0,1
solve this equation by completing the square 3x-4x-7=0
X=7
Muustapha
=7
mantu
x=7
mantu
3x-4x-7=0 -x=7 x=-7
Kr
x=-7
mantu
9x-16x-49=0 -7x=49 -x=7 x=7
mantu
what's the formula
Modress
-x=7
Modress
new member
siame
what is trigonometry
deals with circles, angles, and triangles. Usually in the form of Soh cah toa or sine, cosine, and tangent
Thomas
solve for me this equational y=2-x
what are you solving for
Alex
solve x
Rubben
you would move everything to the other side leaving x by itself. subtract 2 and divide -1.
Nikki
then I got x=-2
Rubben
it will b -y+2=x
Alex
goodness. I'm sorry. I will let Alex take the wheel.
Nikki
ouky thanks braa
Rubben
I think he drive me safe
Rubben
how to get 8 trigonometric function of tanA=0.5, given SinA=5/13? Can you help me?m
More example of algebra and trigo
What is Indices
If one side only of a triangle is given is it possible to solve for the unkown two sides?
cool
Rubben
kya
Khushnama
please I need help in maths
Okey tell me, what's your problem is?
Navin
the least possible degree ?
(1+cosA)(1-cosA)=sin^2A
good
Neha
why I'm sending you solved question
Mirza
Teach me abt the echelon method
Khamis
exact value of cos(π/3-π/4)