Law of cosines

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<math> c^{2} = (a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab \cos C+b^{2}</math>
<math> c^{2} = (a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab \cos C+b^{2}</math>
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==example triangulation==
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==Example Triangulation==
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Complete the triangle using the law of cosines.
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[[Image:SAS triangle.jpg]]
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 +
To find the side length <math>c</math>,

Revision as of 10:41, 30 May 2011

The law of cosines is a formula that helps in triangulation when two or three side lengths of a triangle are known. The formula relates all three side lengths of a triangle to the cosine of a particular angle.

c^{2} = a^{2} + b^{2} - 2ab \cos C

When to use it: SAS, SSS.

Proof

Let \vartriangle ABC be oriented so that C is at the origin, and B is at the point (a,0).

Image:Law_of_cosines_proof.jpg

Distance Formula

distance = \sqrt {(x_{2}-x_{1})^{2} + (y_{2}-y_{1})^{2}}

c is the distance from A to B.

Substituting the appropriate points into the distance formula gives us

c = \sqrt {(a-b \cos C)^{2} + (0-b \sin C)^{2}}

Squaring the inner terms, we have

c = \sqrt {(a^{2}-2ab \cos C+b^{2} \cos^{2} C) + (b^{2} \sin^{2} C)}

Since \cos^{2} C + \sin^{2} C = 1,

c = \sqrt {(a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab \cos C+b^{2}}

Square both sides for

c^{2} = (a^{2}+b^{2}-2ab \cos C+b^{2}

Example Triangulation

Complete the triangle using the law of cosines.

Image:SAS triangle.jpg

To find the side length c,

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