Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
7. Non-Right Triangles
Law of Sines
Problem 6.34
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionApply the law of sines to the following:
A = 104°, a = 26.8, b = 31.3.
What happens when we try to find the measure of angle B using a calculator?
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Law of Sines
The Law of Sines states that in any triangle, the ratio of the length of a side to the sine of its opposite angle is constant. This can be expressed as a/sin(A) = b/sin(B) = c/sin(C). It is particularly useful for solving triangles when we know either two angles and one side or two sides and a non-included angle.
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Intro to Law of Sines
Ambiguous Case of the Law of Sines
The ambiguous case occurs when using the Law of Sines to find an angle when two sides and a non-included angle are known (SSA condition). This can lead to zero, one, or two possible solutions for the angle, depending on the given values. Understanding this concept is crucial for determining whether a triangle can be formed with the given measurements.
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Solving SSA Triangles ("Ambiguous" Case)
Calculator Functions for Trigonometry
Calculators typically have functions to compute trigonometric ratios and their inverses, such as sine, cosine, and tangent. When finding an angle using the sine function, the calculator will return the principal value, which may not account for all possible angles in the ambiguous case. Therefore, it is important to analyze the context of the triangle to determine if additional solutions exist.
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