10.6 Sine Rule
10.6 Sine Rule
How to Find sides and angles of non-right angled triangles using sine rule
Subtopic: Sine rule
If a triangle is right-angled, trigonometric ratios and the theorem of Pythagoras may be used for its solutions. However, for a non-right-angled
triangle, trigonometric ratios and Pythagoras’ theorem cannot be used. Instead, two rules, called the sine rule and the cosine rule, are used.
Sine rule
The law of sines (sine rule) is very useful in solving triangles
a b c
= =
sinA sinB sinC
SOLUTION
a b
=
sinA sinB
a 12
=
sin 83° sin 64 °
a=13.3
CASE 2
In triangle ABC, c = 10, A = 60° and c = 110°, find (a) a (b) B (c) b
SOLUTION
a c
(i) = a = 9.2 cm
sinA sinC
a c
(iii) = b = 1.8 cm
sinA sinC
FINDING AN ANGLE
SOLUTION
sinQ sinP
(i) = Q = 27.2° or 180°-27.2° = 152.8°
q p
r p
(ii) P + Q + R = 180°, R = 102.8° (iii) = r = 9.2 cm
sinR sinP
Exercise
1. A room 8.0 m wide has a span roof which slopes at 33° on one side and 40° on the other. Find the length of the roof slopes a∧c , correct to the nearest
centimeter.
2. Q is a ship at a point 10 km due South of another ship P. R is a lighthouse on the coast such
that
< P = Q = 50°