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MATHEMATICS
Quarter 4 – Module 7 Week 7
Triangle Trigonometry

Self-Learning Module
 The Law of Cosines and Its
Applications

LET’S EXPLORE YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

Oblique triangles can also be solved using the Law of Cosines. This
law states the following: The square of the length of one side is
equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides minus the
product of twice the two sides and the cosine of the angle between
them.

In symbols.

The Law of Cosines can be used in the following situations:

• Two sides and the included angle are known

• Three sides are known

➤ Activity 1: Let’s Identify!

Identify whether law of sine or law of cosine is used in solving the variable
x in the figures.

1. 2.

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 4.

3.

Answer: for even nos.

2. law of sine
4. law of cosine

5.

LET’S FIRM UP YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

Take the following examples.

Illustrative Example 1:

Let us use ∆ABC to illustrate the Law of Cosines.

Given : two sides and the included angle

∠C = 180°

a=8

b = 12

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Solutions:
To solve for c,

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab (cos C) c2 = 208 –33.3312

c2 = 82 + b2 – 2 (8)(12)(cos 80°) c2 = 174.6688
c2 = 64 + 144 – 192 (0.1736) c = 13.22

To determine the measure of

∠A, (317.28) (cos A) = 254.6688
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc (cos A) cos A =
254.6688
= 0.8027
82 = 122 + 13.222 – 2 (12)(13.22)(cos A) 317.28
A = 36.61°
64 = 144 + 174.6688 – (347.28) (cos A)
64 = 318.6688 – (317.28) (cos A)
(317.28) (cos A) = 318.6688 – 64

Since the measure of ∠C is given and the measure of ∠A is now

known, the measure of ∠B can be computed using the equation
∠A +∠B +∠C = 180°
∠A +∠B +∠C = 180°
36.61°+∠B + 80°= 180°
116.61 +∠B = 180°
∠B = 180° – 116.61°
∠B = 63.39°

The triangle with its complete parts is shown below.

Illustrative Example 2:

Determine the missing parts of ∆ABC.

Given: three sides a = 15 b = 10 c = 20

Solution:
a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc (cos A);
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac (cos B)
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab (cos C)

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Let's solve for the measure of ∠A

a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc (cos A)
152 = 102 + 202 – 2(10)(20)(cos A)
225 = 100 + 400 – 400 (cos A)

–275 = – 400 (cos A)

−275 −400 cos 𝐴
= =
−400 −400
0.6875 = cos A

A = 46.57°
.
Using the formula b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac (cos B)
and following the steps used above, let’s find
the measure of ∠B
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac (cos B)

0.8750 = cos B
B = 28.96°

Since two angles are already known, substitute their values in the equation

∠A +∠B +∠C = 180° to solve for ∠C

46.57°+ 28.96°+∠C = 180°
75.53°+∠C = 180°
∠C = 180° – 75.53°
∠C = 104.47°

Below is the triangle with its complete parts.

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➤ Activity 2: Practice Makes Perfect

Use law of cosine to find x in each case. (If answers are not exact, round off
to the nearest hundredth.)

1. Solution for no. 1:

a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc (cos A)
x x2=32+92-2(3)(9)(cos 1080)
x2=9+81+16.69
x2=106.69
x=√106.69
x=10.33

x
2.

Questions:
1. Were you able to solve the given triangles? How?
2. In each of the given triangles, which part did you solve first and why?
3. Explain how you solved each of the given triangles.

In Activity 2 you were given illustrations of triangles and you were

asked to find the missing parts. The next activity, however, will
give you an opportunity to practice drawing triangles based on
specific conditions. This activity would help prepare you in dealing
with application problems.

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 LET’S DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

➤ Activity 3: Sketch Me If You Can

Draw the triangle that best describes each of the situations given below.
Label the given parts.

1. In ∆PQR, PQ is 7 cm long, QR is 5 cm, and the angle between them

measures 52°.
2. ∆XYZ is an isosceles triangle. Its vertex angle Y measures 35° and
each leg is 8 cm long.
3. In ∆ABC, AB is 15 cm long, BC is 4 cm long and makes an angle
measuring 138° with AB.
4. In ∆ABC, all sides measure 10 cm.
5. ∆PQR is isosceles. ∠Q is the vertex angle and it measures 55° and one
leg is 7 cm long

Answer:
2. 4.

Questions:
1. How do you find Activity 2?

2. What should you keep in mind if you are to draw the diagrams yourself?
Why?

Being able to illustrate a problem through diagrams will help you connect
with the problem which will make solving easier. The previous activity
provided you this skill. In the next activity, illustrations based on real-life
situations are already provided. Your task is to apply the Law of Cosines to
solve the problems.

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 LET’S TRANSFER YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

➤ Activity 4: Find Me Please

Below are sketches depicting real-life situations. Your task is to find the
missing part indicated in each sketch.

Answer:
1. c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab (cos C) 2. ∠N=?

c2 =402+222-2(40)(22)(cos 550)

c2 =1600+484-1009.5

c2 =1074.5

c=√1074.5
c=32.8 m

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 SUMMATIVE 4.3
MATH 9 Oblique Triangles

Name :__________________________ Gr. & Sec.:_____________

Score:____________

INSTRUCTION. Read each statement carefully and choose the correct answer
by writing the letter of the correct answer in your answer sheet.
1. Which triangle is NOT oblique?
A. Acute triangle B. Equilateral triangle
C. Obtuse triangle D. Right Triangle

2. If the angles of triangle are 320, 700 and 780 respectively, what type of
triangle is it?
A. Equilateral triangle B. Right Triangle
C. Obtuse triangle D. Acute triangle

3. Which of these laws are essential in solving oblique triangles?

A. Law of Sine B. Law of Cosine
C. Law of Tangent D. Both A and B

4. Which formula illustrates the Law of Sines?

A. B.
C. D.

5. In the Law of Cosines, what is equal to ?

A. B.
C. D.

6. What Law could be used to solve the missing side of the figure 1?
A. Cosine Law B. Tangent Law
C. Sine Law D. Cotangent Law

7. What is the measure of the missing side in figure 1 above?

A. 16 B. 18
C. 20 D. 22

8. What Law could be used to solve the missing angle in figure 2 below?
A. Cosine Law B. Sine Law
C. Tangent D. Cotangent Law

9. What is the measure of the missing angle in figure 2?

A. 250 B. 270
C. 480 D. 520

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[Link] of the figures below can be solved using the Law of Sine?

A. B. C. D.

[Link] of the following laws can be used to solve in finding the measure of
angle .
A. Law of Sines C. Law of Tangents
B. Law of Cosines D. Both A and B

[Link] of the following equations can be used to find the measure of the
side given the figure below?

A. C.
B. D.

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Division of Mandaue City
Plaridel St., Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014
Telephone Nos.: (032) 345 – 0545 | (032) 505 – 6337
E-mail Address: mandaue.city001@[Link]
Website: [Link]

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