Solving for Triangle Angle with Known Side Measurements | Trigonometry Question

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In summary, to find the measure of an angle in a triangle when all three sides are known, you can use the law of Cosines. This can be done by using the formula on the website provided, where the angles are represented by capital letters and the sides are represented by lowercase letters. It is also recommended to understand why the law of Cosines is valid by checking out the proof.
  • #1
Poweranimals
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Well, does anyone know how to solve for an angle of a triangle if you already have the measurements of all three sides? Any help would be appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Yes, you can use the law of Cosines to find the measure of any angle given the three sides, or the third side given an angle and two sides.

Try this link : http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/lcos.html

Remember, in the diagram, the angles are the Capital A, B, and C, and the sides are the opposite and are little a, b , and c.
 
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  • #3
That is more than a hint ! :wink:
 
  • #4
You may still want to find out why the Law of Cosines is valid. I strongly suggest that you do. Check out the proof here.
 

Related to Solving for Triangle Angle with Known Side Measurements | Trigonometry Question

1. What is Trigonometry?

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. It is used to solve problems involving triangles and is widely used in various fields such as engineering, navigation, and physics.

2. What are the basic trigonometric functions?

The basic trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, and tangent. Sine (sin) is the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle. Cosine (cos) is the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. And tangent (tan) is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

3. What is the difference between radians and degrees in trigonometry?

Radians and degrees are units of measurement used in trigonometry. Degrees are based on dividing a circle into 360 equal parts, while radians are based on dividing a circle into 2π (approximately 6.28) equal parts. Radians are often used in more advanced trigonometric calculations as they provide a more precise measurement.

4. How is trigonometry used in real life?

Trigonometry has many practical applications in real life. It is used in architecture to design and construct buildings, in navigation to determine the position of ships and planes, in physics to calculate forces and motion, and in engineering to design structures and machines.

5. Is trigonometry difficult to learn?

Trigonometry may seem difficult at first, but with practice and understanding of the basic principles, it can be mastered. It is important to have a solid foundation in algebra and geometry before learning trigonometry. Additionally, there are many online resources and tutorials available to aid in learning trigonometry.

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