Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Worked solutions
Chapter 7 Sine and cosine rules
Exercise 7.1 Trigonometry review
TF Technology free question

1 Calculate the length of x in each triangle, correct to 2 decimal places.

(a)

Worked solution
A
cos (θ ) =
H
x
cos (19° ) =
63
x 63 × cos (19° )
=
x = 59.57 cm (2 d.p.)
The length is smaller than the hypotenuse, as expected.
Answer
x = 59.57 cm

(b)

Worked solution
A
tan (θ ) =
H
3.4
tan ( 50° ) =
x
3.4
x=
tan ( 50° )
x = 2.85 m ( 2 d.p.)

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
The length is smaller than the given length, as expected, because it is opposite a smaller angle.
Answer
x = 2.85 m

(c)

Worked solution
O
tan (θ ) =
A
x
tan ( 63° ) =
17
x = 17 × tan ( 63° )
x = 33.36 cm ( 2 d.p.)
The length is greater than the given side, because it is opposite a larger angle.
Answer
x = 33.36 cm

(d)

Worked solution
O
sin (θ ) =
H
4.9
sin ( 51° ) =
x
4.9
x=
sin ( 51° )
x = 6.31 cm ( 2 d.p.)
The length is greater than the given length, because it is the hypotenuse.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
x = 6.31 cm

(e)

Worked solution
O
sin (θ ) =
H
x
sin ( 71° ) =
15
x= 15 × sin ( 71° )
x = 14.18 m (2 d.p.)
The length is smaller than the hypotenuse, as expected.
Answer
x = 14.18 m

(f)

Worked solution
O
tan (θ ) =
A
8
tan ( 35° ) =
x
x tan ( 35° ) = 8
8
x=
tan ( 35° )
x = 11.43 cm (2 d.p.)
The length is greater than the given side, as it is opposite a larger angle.
Answer
x = 11.43 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(g)

Worked solution
O
sin (θ ) =
H
x
sin ( 65° ) =
54.2
x = 54.2 × sin ( 65° )
x = 49.12 cm (2 d.p.)
The length is smaller than the hypotenuse, as expected.
Answer
x = 49.12 cm

(h)

Worked solution
13
cos ( 24° ) =
x
x cos ( 24° ) = 13
13
x=
cos ( 24° )
= 14.23 cm (2 d.p.)
The length is greater than the given side, as it is the hypotenuse.
Answer
x = 14.23 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
2 Calculate the size of angle θ for each triangle, to the nearest degree.

(a)

Worked solution
O
tan (θ ) =
A
33
tan (θ ) =
39
 33 
θ = tan −1  
 39 
θ = 40° ( nearest degree )
The angle is less than 45° , as it is opposite the shorter side.
Answer
θ = 40°

(b)

Worked solution
A
cos (θ ) =
H
14
cos (θ ) =
18
 14 
θ = cos −1  
 18 
θ = 39° ( nearest degree )
Answer
θ = 39°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c)

Worked solution
O
sin (θ ) =
H
25.6
sin (θ ) =
40
 25.6 
θ = sin −1  
 40 
θ = 40° ( nearest degree )
Answer
θ = 40°

(d)

Worked solution
O
tan (θ ) =
A
30
tan (θ ) =
21.2
 30 
θ = tan −1  
 21.2 
θ = 55° ( nearest degree )
The angle is greater than 45° , as it is opposite the longer side.
Answer
θ = 55°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
3 Solve the triangle for both pronumerals. Give the length correct to 2 decimal places and the angle to
the nearest degree.

Worked solution
By Pythagoras’ theorem:
x=
2
52 + 202
x 2 = 425
∴ x = 425
x = 20.62 cm ( 2 d.p.)

The length is larger than the other sides, as it is the hypotenuse.

O
tan (θ ) =
A
5
tan (θ ) =
20
tan (θ ) = 0.25
θ = tan −1 ( 0.25 )
θ= 14° ( nearest degree )
Answer
x = 20.62 cm , θ= 14°

4 Calculate θ to the nearest degree.

Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
A
cos (θ ) =
H
5
cos (θ ) =
13
5
θ = cos −1  
 13 
θ= 67° ( nearest degree )
Answer
θ= 67°

5 For each of the following diagrams, determine the values of θ and x , correct to 1 decimal place
where necessary.

(a)

Worked solution
Calculate x first.

x = 6 units ( isosceles triangle )

Calculate θ :

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
tan (θ ) =
A
6
tan (θ ) =
11
6
θ = tan −1 

 11 
θ 28.6° (1 d.p.)
=

Answer
θ 28.6°
x = 6 units ,=

(b)

Worked solution
Calculate x first.

O
tan (θ ) =
A
7
tan ( 34° ) =
x
7
x=
tan ( 34° )
x = 10.4 units (1 d.p.)
Calculate θ .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
tan (θ ) =
A
7
tan (θ ) = 7
tan ( 34° )
+8
 7
θ = tan −1  
 tan (734°) + 8 
 
θ = 20.9° (1 d.p.)
Answer
θ 20.9°
x = 10.4 units ,=

TF 6 Determine all solutions to the following equations in the given domain.

1
(a) sin ( x ) = , 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°
2
Worked solution
1
sin ( x ) = , 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°
2
1
reference angle: sin ( 45° ) =
2
Sine is positive in the first and second quadrants.
x= 45° , 180° − 45°
x= 45° , 135°
Answer
x = 45°, x = 135°

1
(b) cos ( x ) = − , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
2
Worked solution
1
cos ( x ) = − , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
2
π  1
reference angle: cos   =
3 2
Cosine is negative in the second and third quadrants.
π π
x= π − ,π+
3 3

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
2π 4π
x= ,
3 3
Answer
2π 4π
x= ,x=
3 3

(c) tan ( x ) = − 3 , 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°

Worked solution
tan ( x ) = − 3 , 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°

reference angle: tan ( 60° ) = 3

Tangent is negative in the second and fourth quadrants.
=
x 180° − 60° , 360° − 60°
=
x 120° , 300°
Answer
x = 120°, x = 300°

3
(d) cos ( x ) = , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
2
Worked solution
3
cos ( x ) = , 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
2
π  3
reference angle: cos   =
6 2
Cosine is positive in the first and fourth quadrants.
π π
x= , 2π −
6 6
π 11π
x= ,
6 6
Answer
π 11π
x= , x=
6 6

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
1
(e) sin ( x ) = − , −π ≤ x ≤ π
2
Worked solution
1
sin ( x ) = − , −π ≤ x ≤ π
2
π  1
reference angle: sin   =
6 2
Sine is negative in the third and fourth quadrants.
π π
x =−π + ,−
6 6
5π π
x= − ,−
6 6
Answer
5π π
x= − ,x= −
6 6

1
(f) cos ( x ) = , −180° ≤ x ≤ 180°
2
Worked solution
1
cos ( x ) = , −180° ≤ x ≤ 180°
2
1
reference angle: cos ( 45° ) =
2
Cosine is positive in the first and fourth quadrants.
x= 45° , −45°
Answer
x= 45° , x =−45°

TF 7 (a) Given that cos (1) = 0.54, what is the value of cos (1 – π)?

A 0.54 B −0.54 C 0.46 D −0.46

Worked solution
cos (1) = 0.54

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
cos (1 − π ) = cos ( − (π − 1) )
= cos (π − 1)
= − cos (1)
= −0.54
Check that cosine in the second quadrant is negative.
The correct option is B.
Answer
B

(b) Explain the common error made by a student who misunderstood the quadrant placement of the
angle (1 – π).
Worked solution
The student may have changed cos ( − (π − 1) ) to the opposite sign of the original. Cosine is the
only function for which an angle and its opposite have the same sign.
Answer
cos (θ )= 0.54 ⇒ cos ( −θ )= 0.54

TF 8 Which option is the same as sin (160°) – cos (160°)?

A sin ( 20° ) + cos ( 20° ) B sin ( 20° ) − cos ( 20° )

C − sin ( 20° ) + cos ( 20° ) D − sin ( 20° ) − cos ( 20° )

Worked solution
160=
° 180° − 20°
In the second quadrant, sine is positive and cosine is negative.
Therefore, sin (160° ) = sin ( 20° ) and cos (160° ) = − cos ( 20° ) .

160° ) sin ( 20° ) − ( − cos ( 20° ) )

sin (160° ) − cos (=
= sin ( 20° ) + cos ( 20° )
The correct option is A.
Answer
A

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
9 Gina strengthens a 1.2 m-tall rectangular metal gate by adding two diagonal struts (shown as dashed
lines). She welds the struts together halfway along the vertical side of the gate. Calculate the angle θ to
the nearest degree.

Worked solution

O
tan (α ) =
A
0.8
tan (α ) =
0.6
 0.8 
α = tan −1  
 0.6 
α = 53.13° (2 d.p.)
θ= 180 − 2 × 53.13
= 74° (nearest degree)
Answer
θ = 74°

10 Carter is swimming 70 m due north of the shore when he is caught in a rip. He conserves energy and
drifts 100 m east parallel to the shore before being rescued. What is Carter’s direction from his starting
point when he is rescued? Give your answer to the nearest degree.
Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
tan (θ ) =
A
100
tan (θ ) =
70
 100 
θ = tan −1  
 70 
θ = 55° to the nearest degree
Carter is N55°E from his starting point when he is rescued.
Answer
N55°E

11 A surveyor standing 46 m from the base of a building measures the angle to the top of the building’s
clock and finds it to be 39°. The surveyor then measures the angle to the base of the clock, and finds
that it is 31°. Determine the height of the clock from the base to the top, correct to 1 decimal place.

Worked solution
Let b be the height to the base of the clock and t be the height to the top of the clock, from
where the surveyor is standing.
O
tan (θ ) =
A
b
tan ( 31° ) =
46
= b 46 tan ( 31° )
b = 27.64 ( 2 d.p.)
The height to the base of the clock is 27.64 m .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
tan (θ ) =
A
t
tan ( 39° ) =
46
= t 46 tan ( 39° )
t = 37.25 ( 2 d.p.)
The height to the top of the clock is 37.25 m .
9.6 m (1 d.p.) .
The height of the clock is: 37.25 − 27.64 =

Answer
9.6 m

12 From the top of a 100 m-high building (A), the angle of depression to the bottom of building B is 40°.
The angle of elevation from the top of building A to the top of building B is 30°. Calculate the height
of building B in metres, correct to 1 decimal place.

Worked solution
Let h be the difference in height between the buildings and x be the horizontal distance
between the two buildings.

O
tan (θ ) =
A
100
tan ( 40° ) =
x
100
x=
tan ( 40° )
x = 119.17...

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Substitute the exact value of x to find h :
h
tan ( 30° ) =
x
h= x × tan ( 30° )
100
h= × tan ( 30° )
tan ( 40° )
h = 68.8 (1 d.p.)
∴ The height of the building B is 100 + 68.8 =
168.8 m .
Answer
168.8 m

13 Huynh is in a hot air balloon, 328.2 m above the ground. She spots a parked truck at an angle of
depression of 38°. The balloon rises another 50 m and the angle of depression to the truck is now 42°.

(a) Determine, to the nearest metre, the direct distance of Huynh from the truck before the balloon
rises.
Worked solution
Use alternate angles to place 38° in a right-angled triangle.

HP
sin (θ ) =
HT
328.2
sin ( 38° ) =
HT
328.2
HT =
sin ( 38° )
HT = 533 m ( correct to the nearest metre )
The balloon is initially 533 m from the truck.
Answer
533 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Determine, to the nearest metre, the direct distance of Huynh from the truck after the balloon
rises.
Worked solution

=
BP 328.2 + 50
= 378.2 m
BP
sin (θ ) =
BT
378.2
sin ( 42° ) =
BT
378.2
BT =
sin ( 42° )
BT = 565 m ( correct to the nearest metre )
The balloon is 533 m from the truck after rising 50 m .
Answer
565 m

14 Suri navigates her way 120 m from campsite B to campsite A, travelling in the direction N22°W. She
then measures the angle of elevation to the top of a flagpole, 3.9 m above a cliff, to be 65°. Determine
the height of the cliff, correct to 2 decimal places.

Worked solution
Let h be the height of the cliff and x be the side shared by the two triangles.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
sin (θ ) =
H
x
sin ( 22° ) =
120
= x 120sin ( 22° )
x = 44.95
h + 3.9
= tan ( 65° )
x
h + 3.9 =x × tan ( 65° )
h = x × tan ( 65° ) − 3.9
=h 120sin ( 22° ) × tan ( 65° ) − 3.9
h = 92.50 ( 2 d.p.)

The height of the cliff is 92.50 m .

Answer
92.50 m

15 A helicopter is sighted at the same time by two observers, Len and Alaine, on the ground. Len and
Alaine are 3 km apart on the same side of the helicopter. They find the angles of elevation to be 44°
and 28° respectively. Determine the height of the helicopter in kilometres, correct to 1 decimal place.

Worked solution
Let h be the height and x be the value shown in the diagram.

O
tan (θ ) =
A
h
tan ( 44° ) =
x
h = x tan ( 44° ) [1]

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
O
tan (θ ) =
A
h
tan ( 28° ) =
x+3
h ( x + 3) tan ( 28° )
= [ 2]
Equate the expressions for h :
[1] = [ 2]
x tan ( 44° ) = ( x + 3) tan ( 28° )
x ( tan ( 44° ) − tan (=
28° ) ) 3 tan ( 28° )
3 tan ( 28° )
x=
tan ( 44° ) − tan ( 28° )
x = 3.67...
Substitute the exact value of x into [1] :

=h ( 3.67...) tan ( 44° )

= 3.5 (1 d.p.)
The height of the helicopter is 3.5 km .
Answer
3.5 km

16 During a car rally, a competitor drives 20 km from the start in the direction S40°E, then due north for
50 km. Determine the competitor’s final displacement.

Worked solution
Alternate angles are equal.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

In the lower triangle:

A
cos (θ ) =
H
x
cos ( 40° ) =
20
x 20 × cos ( 40° )
=
x = 15.3209 km (4 d.p.)
O
sin (θ ) =
H
y
sin ( 40° ) =
20
y = 20sin ( 40° )
y = 12.8558 km (4 d.p.)
In the upper triangle:
50 − x =34.6791 km
Using Pythagoras’ theorem:

=d 12.85582 + 34.67912
d = 36.99 km ( 2 d.p.)

O
tan (θ ) =
A
12.8558
tan (θ ) =
34.6791
 12.8558 
θ = tan −1  
 34.6791 
θ = 20° to the nearest degree

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
The competitor is 36.99 km from the start in the direction N20°E .
Answer
36.99 km , N20°E

17 A pyramid stands on a square base of edge length 22 cm. The sloping edges are each 41 cm.

(a) Determine the angle that the sloping edge makes with the base, to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
Draw a triangle in the vertical plane showing the required angle as θ .
Because this triangle has insufficient information to solve for θ , form a triangle on the
horizontal plane to give the half-diagonal distance of the square base, x .

Using Pythagoras’ theorem:

x2 + x2 =
222
222
2 x2 =
2
22
x=
2
22 2
=
x ×
2 2
22 2
x=
2
x = 11 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
A
cos (θ ) =
H
x
cos (θ ) =
41
11 2
cos (θ ) =
41
 11 2 
θ = cos −1  
 41 
θ = 67.7 °
The sloping edge makes an angle of 68° with the base.
Answer
68°

(b) Determine the height of the pyramid, correct to 2 decimal places.

Worked solution
h
= sin (θ )
41
= h 41sin ( 67.7  ° )
= 37.93 ( 2 d.p.)
Confirming:

( )
2
=h 412 − 11 2

= 1681 − 242
= 1439
= 37.93 ( 2 d.p.)
The height of the pyramid is 37.93 cm .
This is less than the sloping edge, as expected.
Answer
37.93 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
18 Patrick flies a light plane from Cloncurry to Longreach, a distance of 495 km on a bearing of 129°T,
then continues due east to Rockhampton, a further 639 km. Patrick returns directly to Cloncurry.
Determine Patrick’s return journey in terms of distance and direction. Explain any assumptions you
had to make.
Worked solution

a
cos (θ ) =
CL
a
cos ( 51° ) =
495
a= 495 × cos ( 51° )
a = 311.51 km ( 2 d.p.)
b
sin (θ ) =
CL
b
sin ( 51° ) =
495
b= 495 × sin ( 51° )
b = 384.69 km ( 2 d.p.)
Use Pythagoras’ theorem to find the diagonal length, RC .

a 2 + ( b + 639 )
2
RC=

311.512 + ( 384.69 + 639 )

2
=

= 311.512 + 1023.692
= 1070 km ( nearest km )
Use the tangent ratio to find an acute angle related to the required direction.
311.51
tan (α ) =
384.69 + 639
311.51
tan (α ) =
1023.69
 311.51 
α = tan −1  
 1023.69 
α= 17° to the nearest degree
Calculate the direction from the acute angle.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
90 − 17 =°
73 , so N73°W
Patrick must fly 1070 km in the direction N73°W , assuming that the curvature of the Earth
does not have a big effect on the results.
Answer
1070 km , N73°W
Assume that the curvature of the Earth does not have a big effect on the results.

19 The lines y = 3x – 4 and 2x + y = 5 intersect on the Cartesian plane. Determine the angle between the
lines, to the nearest degree, under the following conditions.

(a) The scale on both axes is the same.

Worked solution
=
y 3x − 4
2x + y =5
y= 5 − 2 x
Point of intersection:
3x − 4 = 5 − 2 x
5x = 9
x = 1.8
y =3 × 1.8 − 4
= 1.4
The coordinates of the point of intersection are (1.8,1.4 ) .

Calculate the x -intercepts:

3x − 4 =0
3x = 4
4
x=
3
5 − 2x = 0
x = 2.5
4 
The coordinates of the x -intercepts are  ,0  and ( 2.5,0 ) .
3 

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Draw a vertical line through the top vertex to form right-angled triangles.
The height will be 1.4 and the horizontal sides:
4 7
1.8 − = and 2.5 − 1.8 =
0.7
3 15

1.4
tan (α ) = 7
15

tan (α ) = 3
α = tan −1 ( 3)
α 71.57° ( 2 d.p.)
=

1.4
tan ( β ) =
0.7
tan ( β ) = 2
β = tan −1 ( 2 )
=β 63.43° ( 2 d.p.)
Alternatively, use the gradients of the lines to give the tangent values.
The angle between the lines:
180° − α − =
β 180° − 71.57° − 63.43°
= 45° ( nearest degree )

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
45°

(b) The scale on the vertical axis gives 2 units for the same distance as 1 unit on the vertical axis.
Worked solution
Keeping horizontal amounts the same, and halving the height, the height becomes 0.7 :

0.7
tan (α ) = 7
15

tan (α ) = 1.5
α = tan −1 (1.5 )
α 56.31° ( 2 d.p.)
=

0.7
tan ( β ) =
0.7
tan ( β ) = 1
β= 45°
The angle between the lines:
180° − α − =
β 180° − 56.31° − 45°
= 79° ( nearest degree )
Answer
79°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Worked solutions
Chapter 7 Sine and cosine rules
Exercise 7.2 The area of a triangle
TF Technology free question

1 Calculate the area, correct to 2 decimal places, of each of the following triangles.

(a)

Worked solution
A= 65° , b = 18 , c = 13
1
Area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
= ×18 ×13 × sin ( 65° )
2
= 106.04
The area is 106.04 cm 2
Answer
106.04 cm 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b)

Worked solution
B= 47° , a = 45 , c = 28
1
Area = ac sin ( B )
2
1
= × 45 × 28 × sin ( 47° )
2
= 460.75
The area is 460.75 cm 2 .
Answer
460.75 cm 2

(c)

Worked solution
=
C 45.23° , a = 37.12 m and b = 24.87 m
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
=× 37.12 × 24.87 × sin ( 45.23° )
2
= 327.70
The area is 327.70 m 2 .
Answer
327.70 m 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(d)

Worked solution
=B 38.32° , c = 8.56 m and a = 13.12 m
1
Area = ac sin ( B )
2
1
=×13.12 × 8.56 × sin ( 38.32° )
2
= 34.82
The area is 34.82 m 2 .
Answer
34.82 m 2

TF 2 Calculate the exact area of each of the following triangles.

(a)

Worked solution
Let a = 8 , b = 9 , C= 60° .
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 8 × 9 × sin ( 60° )
2
3
= 36 ×
2
= 18 3

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

The area is 18 3 cm 2 .
Answer
18 3 cm 2

(b)

Worked solution
Let a = 14 , b = 20 , =
C 150° .
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= ×14 × 20 × sin (150° )
2
=140 × sin ( 30° )
1
= 140 ×
2
= 70
The area is 70 cm 2 .
Answer
70 cm 2

(c)

Worked solution
Let a = 2 , b = 6 , =
C 135° .
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 2 × 6 × sin (135° )
2
=6 × sin ( 45° )
2
= 6×
2
=3 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

The area is 3 2 m 2 .
Answer
3 2 m2

(d)

Worked solution
Let a = 10 , b = 15 , C= 30° .
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= ×10 ×15 × sin ( 30° )
2
1
= 75 ×
2
= 37.5
The area is 37.5 m 2 .
Answer
37.5 m 2

3 A triangle has two sides of lengths 25 cm and 46 cm, with an included angle of 34°. Determine the
area of the triangle, correct to the nearest square centimetre.
Worked solution

A= 34° , c = 46 cm and b = 25 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
1
Area = bc sin ( A)
2
1
= × 25 × 46 × sin ( 34 )
2
= 322 ( nearest whole )

The area is 322 cm 2 .

Answer
322 cm 2

TF 4 An acute-angled triangular paddock has an area of 5000 m 2 . If two of the fences measure 100 m and
200 m, determine the angle at which these two fences meet.
Worked solution

Area = 5000 m 2 , C = x° , a = 100 m and b = 200 m

1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
5000 = × 100 × 200 × sin ( x )
2
5000
sin ( x ) =
10000
1
=
2
x= 30° , because the angle must be acute.
The angle is 30° .
Answer
30°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
TF 5 A parallelogram has side lengths of 24 cm and 36 cm. The angle between one pair of adjacent sides is
25°. Determine the area of the parallelogram, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution

A= 25° , d = 36 and b = 24
Area ABCD= 2 × Area ABD
1
= 2 × bd sin ( A )
2
1
= 2 × × 24 × 36 × sin ( 25° )
2
= 365.14 ( 2 d.p.)

The area of the parallelogram is 365.14 cm 2 .

Answer
365.14 cm 2

6 Emergency crews are trying to contain an oil spill by surrounding it with three booms that form a
triangle. The booms are each 300 cm long. Calculate the area that is being contained, correct to the
nearest square metre.
Worked solution

A= 60° , b = 300 m and c = 300 m

1
Area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
= × 300 × 300 × sin ( 60 )
2
= 38 971.143 m 2

The area being contained, to the nearest square metre, is 38971 m 2 .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
38971 m 2

7 In ∆ABC , a = 8 cm , b = 5.2 cm , c = 4 cm and ∠ABC =56° .

(a) Which of the following is the area of the triangle, in square centimetres?

A 8.62 B 13.26 C 17.24 D 26.53

Worked solution
1
Area = ac sin ( B )
2
1
= × 8 × 4 × sin ( 56° )
2
= 13.26 cm 2
The correct option is B.
Answer
B

(b) Which of the incorrect options would be chosen by a student who placed the included angle in
the wrong position?
Worked solution
If the angle was incorrectly placed, b = 5.2 cm would be used as one of the sides.
There are two possible incorrect calculations:
1
Area = × 5.2 × 4 × sin ( 56° )
2
= 8.62 cm 2
1
Area = × 8 × 5.2 × sin ( 56° )
2
= 17.24 cm 2
The student would choose A or C.
Answer
A or C

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
8 In ∆ABC , if a = 16 cm , b = 13.3 cm , c = 8 cm and ∠ABC =
56° , calculate the area of the triangle in
square centimetres, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution
1
ac sin ( B )
Area =
2
1
= (16 )(8) sin ( 56° )
2
= 53.06 cm 2 ( 2 d.p.)
Answer
53.06 cm2

9 Calculate the area of ∆ABC using Heron’s formula, correct to 2 decimal places.

(a)

Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= (10 + 7 + 6 )
2
= 11.5
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

11.5 (11.5 − 10 )(11.5 − 7 )(11.5 − 6 )

= 11.5 ×1.5 × 4.5 × 5.5
= 20.66 ( 2 d.p.)

The area is 20.66 cm 2 .

Answer
20.66 cm 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b)

Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= ( 40 + 20 + 34 )
2
= 47
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

47 ( 47 − 40 )( 47 − 20 )( 47 − 34 )
= 47 × 7 × 27 ×13
= 339.82 ( 2 d.p.)

The area is 339.82 m 2 .

Answer
339.82 m 2

(c)

Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= ( 43.50 + 46.66 + 23.56 )
2
= 56.86
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

56.86 ( 56.86 − 43.50 )( 56.86 − 46.66 )( 56.86 − 23.56 )

= 56.86 ×13.36 ×10.20 × 33.30
= 507.96 ( 2 d.p.)

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
The area is 507.96 m 2 .
Answer
507.96 m 2

(d)

Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= (15.34 + 16.86 + 12.78)
2
= 22.49
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

22.49 ( 22.49 − 15.34 )( 22.49 − 16.86 )( 22.49 − 12.78 )

= 22.49 × 7.15 × 5.63 × 9.71
= 93.76 ( 2 d.p.)

The area is 93.76 cm 2 .

Answer
93.76 cm 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
10 Determine the area of a triangle with side lengths 23 cm, 34 cm and 35 cm, correct to 2 decimal
places.
Worked solution

1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= ( 23 + 34 + 35)
2
= 46
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

46 ( 46 − 23)( 46 − 34 )( 46 − 35 )
= 46 × 23 ×12 ×11
= 373.71 ( 2 d.p.)

The area is 373.71 cm 2 .

Answer
373.71 cm 2

11 Rikeshi and Jacqueline have just bought a triangular block of land and the property developer who
sold them the block told them that its area is approximately 370 m 2 . The three boundaries measure
24 m, 32 m and 34 m. Determine the area of the block of land, correct to the nearest square metre.
Worked solution

1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= ( 24 + 32 + 34 )
2
= 45

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

45 ( 45 − 24 )( 45 − 32 )( 45 − 34 )
= 45 × 21×13 ×11
= 367.61 ( 2 d.p.)

The area is 368 m 2 to the nearest square metre.

Answer
368 m 2

12 Calculate the area of the Bermuda Triangle if the sides of the triangle have approximate lengths of
1368 km, 1489 km and 2092 km. Give the answer correct to the nearest square kilometre. Comment
on any assumptions you made in using your chosen formula.
Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= (1368 + 1489 + 2092 )
2
= 2474.5
Area = s ( s − a )( s − b )( s − c )

2474.5 ( 2474.5 − 1368 )( 2474.5 − 1489 )( 2474.5 − 2092 )

= 2474.5 ×1106.5 × 985.5 × 382.5
= 1015929 ( nearest whole )
The area of the Bermuda Triangle, to the nearest square kilometer, is 1 025 929 km2.
Assume the curvature of the Earth does not have a significant effect on the area calculation.
Answer
1 025 929 km2 Assume the curvature of the Earth does not have a significant effect on the area
calculation.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
13 In ∆ABC, AB = 15 m, BC = 12 m and AC = 14 m. Which of the following is closest to the area of the
triangle, in square metres?

A 17.43 B 20.5 C 78.93 D 6229.44

Worked solution
1
=
s (a + b + c)
2
1
= (12 + 14 + 15)
2
= 20.5
Area = s ( s − a )( ( s − b )( s − c )

20.5 ( 20.5 − 12 )( 20.5 − 14 )( 20.5 − 15 )

= 20.5 × 8.5 × 6.5 × 5.5
= 78.926 m 2
The correct option is C.
Answer
C

14 For a triangle of area 3.16 m 2 and side lengths 2.1 m and 3.5 m, determine the possible values of the
included angle of the triangle, correct to 1 decimal place. Draw both possible triangles.
Worked solution
Area = 3.16 m 2 ; let a = 2.1 m , b = 3.5 m
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
3.16 = × 2.1× 3.5 × sin ( C )
2
3.16 = 3.675sin ( C )
3.16
sin ( C ) =
3.675
= 0.85
One solution is:
C = sin −1 ( 0.85)
= 59.3° (1 d.p.)
The other solution is 180 − 59.3 = 120.7° .
The included angle could be 59.3° or 120.7° .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
As a check, the heights of both triangles should be 3.5sin ( 59.3° ) =3.0 m .

Answer

15 A triangular plot of land has an area of 750 m 2 . If two of the fenced sides are 50 m and 85 m,
calculate the angle at which these two fences could meet, correct to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
1
Area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
750 = ( 50 )( 85 ) sin ( A )
2
6
sin ( A ) =
17
One possible solution:
 6
A = sin −1  
 17 
= 21° ( nearest degree )
The other possibility is 180 − 21 = 159° .
The angle between the fences could be 21° or 159° .
Answer
21° or 159°

16 A triangular block of land has frontages of 59 m and 85 m on two streets and a third side of length
110 m. Determine the angle at which the streets meet, correct to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
Let the angle at which the streets meet be A .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Using Heron’s formula:
110 + 85 + 59
s=
2
= 127
=
Area 127 (127 − 110 ) × (127 − 85 ) × (127 − 59 )
= 2483 m 2
Using the area to backtrack to the angles:
1
Area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
2483 = ( 85 )( 59 ) sin ( A )
2
4966
sin ( A ) =
5015
One possibility:
 4966 
A = sin −1  
 5015 
= 82° ( nearest degree )
Because this is the largest angle, it could be obtuse, so: 180 − 82 = 98° .
The triangle has a fixed shape, by the SSS congruence test, so calculate the acute angles to see
which of these is correct.
1
Area = ac sin ( B )
2
1
2483 = (110 )( 59 ) sin ( B )
2
2483
sin ( B ) =
3245
 2483 
B = sin −1  
 3245 
= 50° ( nearest degree )
1
Area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
2483 = (110 )( 85 ) sin ( C )
2
2483
sin ( C ) =
4675

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
 2483 
C = sin −1  
 4675 
= 32° ( nearest degree )
180 − 50 − 32 = 98°
So the size of angle A , correct to the nearest degree, is 98° .
Alternatively, use Pythagoras’ theorem to see if the angle is obtuse:
592 + 852 =
10 706

1102 = 12100
12100 > 10 706 , so A > 90° .
Hence the obtuse angle is confirmed.
Answer
98°

17 Two triangles both have side lengths of 8 cm and 10 cm. The area of one of the triangles is 1.5 times
the area of the other. Draw two triangles that meet this description, showing the included angle in
each, correct to 1 decimal place.
Worked solution
For the smaller triangle, let the included angle be α :
1
Area = × 8 ×10sin (α )
2
For the larger triangle, let the included angle be β :
1
Area = × 8 ×10sin ( β )
2
The area of one of the triangles is 1.5 times the area of the other:
1 1
× 8 ×10sin ( β )= 1.5 × × 8 ×10sin (α )
2 2
sin ( β ) = 1.5sin (α )

α 150° ):
For example, if α= 30° (or =
=
sin (α ) sin ( 30° )
= 0.5
) 1.5 × 0.5
sin ( β=
= 0.75

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
One solution is:
β = sin −1 ( 0.75 )
= 48.6° (1 d.p.)
β 48.6° or
So=
β 180 − 48.6
=
= 131.4°
The two acute-angle triangles are given in the answer, but the obtuse-angled triangle could have
been substituted for either triangle, because the areas are the same.
The height of the larger triangle will be 1.5 times the height of the smaller triangle, for the same
base.
Answer
A possible solution:

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Worked solutions
Chapter 7 Sine and cosine rules
Exercise 7.3 The sine rule

1 Determine the value of x, correct to 1 decimal place.

Worked solution
2 x
=
sin ( 41° ) sin ( 56° )
2sin ( 56° )
x=
sin ( 41° )
x = 2.5 (1 d.p.)

Answer
x = 2.5 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
2 Solve the following triangles, calculating all unknown side lengths and angles, correct to 2 decimal
places.

(a)

Worked solution
Calculate side a .
a b
=
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
a 21.67
=
sin ( 61.20° ) sin ( 48.15° )
21.67 sin ( 61.20° )
a=
sin ( 48.15° )
= 25.49
Calculate the size of angle C .
61.20 + 48.15 + C =
180
=C 180 − 109.35
= 70.65°
Calculate the length c .
c b
=
sin ( C ) sin ( B )
c 21.67
=
sin ( 70.65° ) sin ( 48.15° )
21.67 sin ( 70.65° )
c=
sin ( 48.15° )
= 27.45
a = 25.49=
, C 70.65° , c = 27.45
Answer
a = 25.49=
, C 70.65° , c = 27.45

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b)

Worked solution
Calculate the length of c first.
a c
=
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
59.03 c
=
sin ( 98.57° ) sin ( 34.93° )
59.03sin ( 34.93° )
c=
sin ( 98.57° )
= 34.18
Calculate the size of angle B .
34.93 + 98.57 + B =
180
=B 180 − 133.5
= 46.50°
Calculate the length of side b .
a b
=
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
59.03 b
=
sin ( 98.57° ) sin ( 46.5° )
59.03sin ( 46.5° )
b=
sin ( 98.57° )
b = 43.30
=B 46.50° , b = 43.30 , c = 34.18
Answer
=B 46.50° , b = 43.30 , c = 34.18

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle C .
56.22 + 74.68 + C =
180
=C 180 − 130.9
= 49.10°
Calculate the length of side a .
a c
=
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
a 12.78
=
sin ( 56.22° ) sin ( 49.1° )
12.78sin ( 56.22° )
a=
sin ( 49.1° )
= 14.05
Calculate the length of side b .
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
b 12.78
=
sin ( 74.68° ) sin ( 49.1° )
12.78sin ( 74.68° )
b=
sin ( 49.1° )
b = 16.31
a = 14.05 , b = 16.31=
, C 49.10°
Answer
a = 14.05 , b = 16.31=
, C 49.10°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(d)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A .
23.77 + 100.23 + A =
180
=
A 180 − 124
A= 56°
Calculate the length of side c .
a c
=
sin ( A) sin ( C )
65.34 c
=
sin ( 56.00° ) sin ( 23.77° )
65.34sin ( 23.77° )
c=
sin ( 56° )
c = 31.77
Calculate the length of side b .
a b
=
sin ( A) sin ( B )
65.34 b
=
sin ( 56.00° ) sin (100.23° )
65.34sin (100.23° )
b=
sin ( 56.00° )
b = 77.56
=A 56.00° , b = 77.56 , c = 31.77
Answer
=A 56.00° , b = 77.56 , c = 31.77

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
3 Solve the following triangles, given that any unknown angles are acute. Calculate unknown side
lengths and angles, correct to 2 decimal places.

(a)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A .
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( A ) sin ( 67.53° )
=
8.12 8.56
8.12sin ( 67.53° )
sin ( A ) =
8.56
sin ( A ) = 0.876580
Because the unknown angles are acute:
A = sin −1 ( 0.876580 )
= 61.23°
Calculate the size of angle C .
61.23 + 67.53 + C =
180
=C 180 − 128.76
= C 51.24°
Calculate the length of side c .
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
8.56 c
=
sin ( 67.53° ) sin ( 51.24° )
8.56sin ( 51.24° )
c=
sin ( 67.53° )
c = 7.22 ( 2 d.p.)

=A 61.23°=
, C 51.24° , c = 7.22

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
= , C 51.24° , c = 7.22
A 61.23°=

(b)

Worked solution
Calculate angle B .
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( 71.05° ) sin ( B )
=
16.45 12.56
12.56sin ( 71.05° )
sin ( B ) =
16.45
sin ( B ) = 0.722
Because the unknown angles are acute:
B = sin −1 ( 0.722)
= 46.23°
Calculate angle C .
46.23 + 71.05 + C =
180
=C 180 − 117.28
= C 62.72°
Calculate the length of side c .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
a c
=
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
16.45 c
=
sin ( 71.05° ) sin ( 62.72° )
16.45sin ( 62.72° )
c=
sin ( 71.05° )
c = 15.46
=B 46.23°=
, C 62.72° , c = 15.46
Answer
=B 46.23°=
, C 62.72° , c = 15.46

(c)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A .
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
=
a c
sin ( A ) sin (140.59° )
=
68.93 123.76
68.93 × sin (140.59° )
sin ( A ) =
123.76
sin ( A ) = 0.353598
Because the angle is known to be acute:
A = sin −1 ( 0.353598 )
= 20.71°
Calculate the size of angle B .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
20.71 + 140.59 + B =
180
=B 180 − 161.30
= B 18.70°
Calculate the length of side b .
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
b 123.76
=
sin (18.70° ) sin (140.59° )
123.76sin (18.70° )
b=
sin (140.59° )
b = 62.50 ( 2 d.p.)

=A 20.71°=
, B 18.70° , b = 62.50
Answer
=A 20.71°=
, B 18.70° , b = 62.50

(d)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle C .
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
=
b c
sin ( 52.56° ) sin ( C )
=
4.08 3.21
3.21sin ( 52.56° )
sin ( C ) =
4.08
C = 0.624
Because the angle is known to be acute:
C = sin −1 ( 0.624)
= 38.66°
Calculate the size of angle A .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
52.56 + 38.66 + A =
180
=A 180 − 91.22
= A 88.78°
Calculate the length of side a .
b a
=
sin ( B ) sin ( A )
4.08 a
=
sin ( 52.56° ) sin ( 88.78° )
4.08 × sin ( 88.78° )
a=
sin ( 52.56° )
a = 5.14
=A 88.78° , a = 5.14=
, C 38.66°
Answer
=A 88.78° , a = 5.14=
, C 38.66°

4 In ∆ABC , a = 2 , A= 20° and b = 2 . Which of the following is closest to angle B ?

A 23° B 20° C 11° D 10°

Worked solution

This is an isosceles triangle.

Because a and b are the same length, this means that the angles A and B are the same size.
This can be confirmed using the sine rule.
Therefore, B= 20° .
The correct option is B.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
B

5 In ∆ABC , a =
15, ∠BAC =40° and ∠ABC =74° .

(a) Which of the following is closest to the length of side c ?

A 15.78 B 10.55 C 22.43 D 21.32

Worked solution

Calculate the size of angle C .

40 + 74 + C =
180
=C 180 − 114
= 66°
Use the sine rule to calculate the length of side c .
c a
=
sin ( C ) sin ( A )
c 15
=
sin ( 66° ) sin ( 40° )
15sin ( 66° )
c=
sin ( 40° )
c = 21.32 ( 2 d.p.)
The correct option is D.
Answer
D

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Which of the incorrect options gives the unmarked side of the triangle?
Worked solution
The unmarked side is b .
b a
=
sin ( B ) sin ( A )
b 15
=
sin ( 74° ) sin ( 40° )
15sin ( 74° )
b=
sin ( 40° )
b = 22.43 ( 2 d.p.)

The option for the unmarked side is C.

Answer
C

6 A triangular block of land has two angles measuring 46.23° and 55.95° and the boundary opposite
the unknown angle is 34 m long. Determine the measures of all unknown sides and angles, correct to
2 decimal places.
Worked solution

Calculate the size of angle A .

55.95 + 46.23 + A =
180
=A 180 − 102.18
=A 77.82°
Calculate the length of side b .
34 b
=
sin ( 77.82° ) sin ( 55.95° )
34sin ( 55.95° )
b=
sin ( 77.82° )
b = 28.82
To the nearest metre, b = 29 m .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Calculate the length of side c .
34 c
=
sin ( 77.82° ) sin ( 46.23° )
34 × sin ( 46.23° )
c=
sin ( 77.82° )
c = 25.11
To the nearest metre, c = 25 m .
In summary: 77.82° , 25 m , 29 m
Answer
77.82° , 25 m , 29 m

7 A balloonist is directly above a straight road 2 km long that joins two towns A and B. She finds that
the town closer to her is at an angle of depression of 36°, and the farther town is at an angle of
depression of 32°. How high above the ground is the balloon? Give your answer correct to the nearest
metre.

Worked solution
C = 180 − 32 − 36
= 112°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Calculate the length of side b :
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
b 2000
=
sin ( 32° ) sin (112° )
2000sin ( 32° )
b=
sin (112° )
b = 1143.07... m
Redraw the diagram:

Determine the height, h :

h
= cos ( 54° )
b
=h b cos ( 54° )
= (1143.07...) cos ( 54° )
= 672 m ( nearest m )
The balloon is 672 m high.
Answer
672 m

8 Three friends, Alison, Brogan and Cassie, use a satellite navigation system to locate each other. Alison
is 28 km due west of Brogan. Cassie is on a bearing of 050°T from Alison, and on a bearing of 330°T
from Brogan.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(a) Determine the angles A , B and C in the triangle depicting the locations.
Worked solution
= 90 − 50
A
= 40°
=
B 330 − 270
= 60°
C = 180 − 40 − 60
= 80°
Answer
A = 40° , B = 60° , C = 80°

(b) How far apart are Cassie and Alison, correct to 2 decimal places?
Worked solution
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
b 28
=
sin ( 60° ) sin ( 80° )
28sin ( 60° )
b=
sin ( 80° )
b = 24.62 km ( 2 d.p.)

Cassie and Alison are 24.62 km apart.

Answer
24.62 km

(c) How far apart are Cassie and Brogan, correct to 2 decimal places?
Worked solution
a c
=
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
a 28
=
sin ( 40° ) sin ( 80° )
28sin ( 40° )
a=
sin ( 80° )
a = 18.28 km (2 d.p.)
Cassie and Brogan are 18.28 km apart.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
18.28 km

9 Building surveyors Isamu and Achala need to measure the height of a derelict building that has been
fenced off for safety reasons. Isamu stands 15 m from the fence to measure the angle of elevation from
ground level of the top of the building, and calculates it to be 33° from the ground. Achala stands 40 m
farther away and calculates the angle to be 20°.

(a) Calculate the height h of the building, correct to the nearest metre.
Worked solution
∠ACB =180 − 33
=
C 147°
Therefore:
∠BAC =180 − (147 + 20 )
A= 13°
The sine rule can be used to determine the length of side c .
c a
=
sin ( C ) sin ( A )
c 40
=
sin (147° ) sin (13° )
40sin (147° )
c=
sin (13° )
= 96.85
This is now the hypotenuse for ∆ABD and so:
h
= sin ( 20° )
96.85
h =96.85 × sin ( 20° )
= 33.1
The building is 33 m tall.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
33 m

(b) Achala also wants to determine the height of a radio tower t , on top of the building. From her
standing point she measures the angle of elevation of the top of the radio tower to be 28°.
Calculate the height of the radio tower, correct to the nearest metre.

Worked solution
∠BAD = ∠BAD + ∠BAC
= ( 90 − 33) + 13
= 70°
Therefore:
∠BAE
= 180 − ∠BAD
= 110°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
And
∠BEA= 180 − 8 − 110
= 62°

t 96.85
=
sin ( 8° ) sin ( 62° )
96.85sin ( 8° )
t=
sin ( 62° )
= 15.26
The height of the radio mast to the nearest metre is 15 m .
Answer
15 m

10 In the diagram, ∆ABC represents a triangular paddock with AB = 80 m, AC = 65 m and ∠ACB = 97°.
At point C there is a tree of height CD. The angle of elevation of the top of the tree, D, when viewed
from A, is 15°. Calculate the following, correct to 2 decimal places.

(a) the height of the tree

Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
From ∆ACD :
CD
tan (15° ) =
65
= CD 65 tan (15° )
CD = 17.42 ( 2 d.p.)
The height of the tree is 17.42 m .
Answer
17.42 m

(b) the length of BC

Worked solution

From ∆ABC :
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
65 80
=
sin ( B ) sin ( 97° )
65sin ( 97° )
sin ( B ) =
80
sin ( B ) = 0.8064

B is acute, because it is opposite a smaller side.

Therefore:
B = sin −1 ( 0.8064)
= 53.75° ( 2 d.p.)
∴ A= 180 − 97 − 53.75
= 29.25° ( 2 d.p.)

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
From ∆ABC :
a c
=
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
BC 80
=
sin ( 29.25° ) sin ( 97° )
80sin ( 29.25° )
BC =
sin ( 97° )
BC = 39.38 ( 2 d.p.)

Answer
39.38 m

(c) the area of the paddock ABC

Worked solution
1
Area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
= ( 65)(80 ) sin ( 29.25° )
2
= 1270.42 m 2 ( 2 d.p.)

The area of the paddock ABC is 1270.42 m 2 .

Answer
1270.42 m 2

(d) the angle of elevation of the top of the tree when viewed from B
Worked solution

From ∆BCD :
17.42
tan (θ ) =
39.38
 17.42 
θ = tan −1  
 39.38 
= 23.86° ( 2 d.p.)
The angle of elevation of the top of the tree when viewed from B is 23.86° .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
23.86°

11 Solve ∆ABC, given the following information, calculating all unknown side lengths and angles,
correct to 2 decimal places.

(a) =A 23.42° , a = 34.56 , b = 46.76

Worked solution
Given that the known angle is not between the two known side lengths, check the possibility of
an ambiguous triangle.

Determine the size of angle B .

sin ( B ) sin ( 23.42° )
=
46.76 34.56
46.76sin ( 23.42° )
sin ( B ) =
34.56
= 0.537778
One solution:
B = sin −1 ( 0.537778 )
= 32.53°
Another solution:
=B ′ 180 − 32.53
= 147.47°
Determine the size of the angle C .
For triangle II:
23.42 + 32.53 + C =
180
=C 180 − 55.95
= 124.05°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
For triangle I:
23.42 + 147.47 + C ′ =
180
C ′ 180 − 170.89
=
=C ′ 9.11°
Determine the length of side c′ for triangle I.
c′ a
=
sin ( C ′ ) sin ( A )
c′ 34.56
=
sin ( 9.11° ) sin ( 23.42° )
34.56sin ( 9.11° )
c′ =
sin ( 23.42° )
c ′ = 13.77
Determine the length of side c for triangle II.
c a
=
sin ( C ) sin ( A )
c 34.56
=
sin (124.05 ) sin ( 23.42 )
34.56
=c × sin (124.05 )
sin ( 23.42 )
c = 72.04
=
In triangle II: B 32.53=
° , C 124.05° , c = 72.04 .
In triangle=
I: B 147.47° ,=
C 9.11° , c = 13.77 .
Answer
=B 147.47° ,=
C 9.11° , c = 13.77 ; or
= B 32.53=
° , C 124.05° , c = 72.04

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) =A 36.20° , a = 15.61 , b = 23.45
Worked solution
Given that the known angle is not between the two known side lengths, check the possibility of
an ambiguous triangle.

Determine the size of angle B .

sin ( B ) sin ( A )
=
b a
sin ( B ) sin ( 36.20° )
=
23.45 15.61
23.45sin ( 36.20° )
sin ( B ) =
15.61
= 0.887 233
One solution:
B = sin −1 ( 0.887 233)
= 62.53°
Another solution:
=B ′ 180 − 62.53
= 117.47°
Determine the size of angle C .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
For triangle II:
36.20 + 62.53 + C =
180
=C 180 − 98.73
= C 81.27°
For triangle I:
36.20 + 117.47 + C ′ =
180
C ′ 180 − 153.67
=
= C ′ 26.33°
Determine the length of side c ′ for triangle I.
c′ a
=
sin ( C ′) sin ( A)
c′ 15.61
=
sin ( 26.33° ) sin ( 36.20° )
15.61sin ( 26.33° )
c′ =
sin ( 36.20° )
c′ = 11.72
Determine the length of side c for triangle II.
c a
=
sin ( C ) sin ( A)
c 15.61
=
sin ( 81.27° ) sin ( 36.20° )
15.61sin ( 81.27° )
c=
sin ( 36.20° )
= 26.12
=
In triangle II: B 62.53°=
, C 81.27° , c = 26.12 .
I: B 117.47°=
In triangle= , C 26.33° , c = 11.72 .
Answer
=B 117.47°=
, C 26.33° , c = 11.72 ; or
= B 62.53°=
, C 81.27° , c = 26.12

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c) =B 56.38° , b = 25.37 , c = 26.68
Worked solution
Given that the known angle is not between the two known side lengths, check the possibility of
an ambiguous triangle.

Determine the size of angle C .

sin ( C ) sin ( B )
=
c b
sin ( C ) sin ( 56.38° )
=
26.68 25.37
26.68sin ( 56.38° )
sin ( C ) =
25.37
= 0.875726
One solution:
C = sin −1 ( 0.875726 )
= 61.13°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Another solution:
C ′ 180 − 61.13
=
= 118.87°
Determine the size of angle A .
For triangle II:
56.38 + 61.13 + A =
180
=A 180 − 117.51
=A 62.49°
For triangle I:
56.38 + 118.87 + A′ =
180
=A′ 180 − 175.25
=A′ 4.75°
Determine the length of side a for triangle I:
a′ b
=
sin ( A′ ) sin ( B )
a′ 25.37
=
sin ( 4.75° ) sin ( 56.38° )
25.37 sin ( 4.75° )
a′ =
sin ( 56.38° )
a ′ = 2.52
Determine the length of side a for triangle II:
a b
=
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
a 25.37
=
sin ( 62.49° ) sin ( 56.38° )
25.37 sin ( 62.49° )
a=
sin ( 56.38° )
= 27.02
=
In triangle II: , C 61.13° , a = 27.02 .
A 62.49°=
A 4.75=
In triangle I:= ° , C 118.87° , a = 2.52 .
Answer
A 4.75=
= ° , C 118.87° , a = 2.52 ; or
= , C 61.13° , a = 27.02
A 62.49°=

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
C 12.85° , a = 45.09 , c = 35.98
(d) =
Worked solution
Given that the known angle is not between the two known side lengths, check the possibility of
an ambiguous triangle.

Determine the size of angle A .

sin ( A ) sin ( C )
=
a c
sin ( A ) sin (12.85° )
=
45.09 35.98
45.09sin (12.85° )
sin ( A ) =
35.98
= 0.278710
One solution:
A = sin −1 ( 0.278710 )
= 16.18°
Another solution:
=A′ 180 − 16.18
= 163.82°
Determine the size of the angle B .
For triangle II:
12.85 + 16.18 + B =
180
=B 180 − 29.03
= 150.97°
For triangle I:
12.85 + 163.82 + B ′ =
180
=B ′ 180 − 176.67
=B ′ 3.33°
Calculate the length of side b for triangle I.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
b′ c
=
sin ( B ′ ) sin ( C )
b′ 35.98
=
sin ( 3.33° ) sin (12.85° )
35.98sin ( 3.33° )
b′ =
sin (12.85° )
b ′ = 9.40
Calculate the length of side b for triangle II.
b c
=
sin ( B ) sin ( C )
b 35.98
=
sin (150.97° ) sin (12.85° )
35.98sin (150.97° )
b=
sin (12.85° )
= 78.51
=
In triangle II: ° , B 150.97° , b = 78.51 .
A 16.18=
In triangle=
I: A 163.82° ,=
B 3.33° , b = 9.40 .
Answer
=A 16.18=
° , B 150.97° , b = 78.51 ; =
or A 163.82° ,=
B 3.33° , b = 9.40

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
12 ∆ABC has side lengths a = 23.56 cm and b = 45.12 cm and ∠ABC = 56.43° . Determine the area of
∆ABC , correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution

Use the sine rule to determine the size of angle A .

sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( A ) sin ( 56.43° )
=
23.56 45.12
23.56sin ( 56.43° )
sin ( A ) =
45.12
sin ( A ) = 0.4351
A must be acute, because it is opposite the smaller of the given sides.
A = sin −1 ( 0.4351)
= 25.79°
Determine the size of angle C .
C=180 − 25.79 − 56.43
= 97.78°
Calculate the area.
1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 23.56 × 45.12 × sin ( 97.78° )
2
= 526.62
The area is 526.62 cm 2 .
Answer
526.62 cm 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
13 A symmetrical hexagon-based pyramid has two non-adjacent sloping edges meeting at 16°, as shown.
Determine the height of the prism, correct to 1 decimal place, if the edge length of the base is 50 cm.

Worked solution

From the triangle in the hexagon:

Equal angles are 30° , therefore:
x 50
=
sin (120° ) sin ( 30° )
50sin (120° )
x=
sin ( 30° )
50 × 3
= 1
2

= 50 3

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
180 − 16
From the sloping triangle, the equal angles are = 82° , therefore:
2
y x
=
sin ( 82° ) sin (16° )
x sin ( 82° )
y=
sin (16° )
50 3 sin ( 82° )
=
sin (16° )
= 311.1

Use Pythagoras’ theorem to solve for h .

=h y 2 − 502
= 311.12 − 502
= 307.1 (1 d.p.)

The height of the pyramid is 307.1 cm .

Answer
307.1 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
14 Oscar sets up base camp O while two friends, Neil and Marcus, hike to landmarks N and M along the
directions shown. GPS data indicates that Neil hikes 15 km, and is 19 km from Marcus’s position.
How far is Marcus from base camp, correct to 2 decimal places?

Worked solution
In the triangle:
O = 180 − 69 − 37
= 74°
sin ( M ) sin ( 74° )
=
15 19
15sin ( 74° )
sin ( M ) =
19
sin ( M ) = 0.758...
M = sin −1 ( 0.758...)
=
M 49.37° (2 d.p.)
N = 180 − 74 − 49.37
= 56.63°
n 19
=
sin ( 56.63° ) sin ( 74° )
19sin ( 56.63° )
n=
sin ( 74° )
= 16.51 km (2 d.p.)
Marcus is 16.51 km from base camp.
Answer
16.51 km

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
1 1
15 In ∆ABC, sin ( A) = , sin ( B ) = and a = 6.
5 3

(a) Determine the value of b .

Worked solution
b a
=
sin ( B ) sin ( A)
a sin ( B )
b=
sin ( A)
6 × 13
= 1
5

= 10
Answer
b = 10

(b) Given that A is an acute angle, calculate C to the nearest degree.

Worked solution

1
sin ( B ) =
3
One solution:
1
B = sin −1  
 3
= 19.4712°
Another solution:
=
B 180 − 19.4712
= 160.5288°
0 < A < 90° , therefore:
1
A = sin −1  
 5
= 11.5370°
= 180° − ( A + B ) , so:
C

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
180 − (11.5370 + 19.4712 )
C=
= 149° ( nearest degree )
or
180 − (11.5370 + 160.5288)
C=
= 8° ( nearest degree )

Answer
C = 8° or =
C 149°

16 A lookout at a fire station detects two fires. Fire A is 16 km from the station on a bearing of 053°T.
Fire B is on a bearing of 074°T from the station and is 19 km from fire A.

(a) How far is fire B from the station, correct to 2 decimal places?
Worked solution
Let C be the position of the station.
Let x be the unknown distance to fire B .

In ∆ ABC :
= 74 − 53
C
= 21°
sin ( B ) sin ( 21° )
=
16 19
16sin ( 21° )
sin ( B ) =
19
sin ( B ) = 0.301...
B = sin −1 ( 0.301...)
=B 17.56° (2 d.p.)
A = 180 − 21 − 17.56
= 141.44°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
x 19
=
sin (141.44° ) sin ( 21° )
19sin (141.44° )
x=
sin ( 21° )
= 33.05 km (2 d.p.)
Fire B is 33.05 km from the station.
Answer
33.05 km

(b) Calculate the bearing of fire A from fire B , to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
The angle between north and the line AB :
180 − 74 − B = 180 − 74 − 17.56
= 88.44°
To the nearest degree, the direction of fire A from fire B is N88°W .
The bearing is 360 − 88 = 272°T .
Answer
272°T

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Worked solutions
Chapter 7 Sine and cosine rules
Exercise 7.4 The cosine rule
TF Technology free question

1 The path of a hot air balloon is being tracked by two observers on the ground, who are 8 km apart.
From observer A, the direct distance to the hot air balloon is 500 m, and the angle of elevation is
measured to be 60° . How far, to the nearest metre, is the balloon from observer B?
Worked solution

Calculate BC .
BC 2 =5002 + 80002 − 2 ( 500 )( 8000 ) cos ( 60° )
BC = 500 241
= 7762 m ( nearest m )

The balloon is 7762 m from observer B .

Answer
7762 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
2 An observer on the ground at point A watches a rocket ascend. The observer is 800 m to the left of the
launch point P. A second observer on the ground at point B is 700 m to the right of the launch point.
When the rocket is at a distance of 1200 m from A, the angle of elevation of the rocket is 35°. What is
the distance of B from the rocket at this time? Give your answer correct to the nearest metre.
Worked solution

From ∆ABR :
a 2 15002 + 12002 − 2 ×1500 ×1200 cos ( 35° )
=
3690 000 − 3600 000 cos ( 35° )
=
a=3690 000 − 3600 000 cos ( 35° )
= 861 m ( nearest m )

The distance of B from the rocket is 861 m .

Answer
861 m

3 Calculate the magnitude of all unknown angles in each triangle, correct to 2 decimal places.

(a)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A using the cosine rule.
a 2 + b2 − c2
cos ( A ) =
2ab
7.132 + 6.232 − 10.47 2
=
2 × 7.13 × 6.23
= −0.2248
A 180 − cos −1 ( 0.2248 )
=
= 102.99°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Calculate B using the sine rule.
sin ( A) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin (102.99° ) sin ( B )
=
10.47 7.13
7.13sin (102.99° )
sin ( B ) =
10.47
= 0.6636
B = sin −1 ( 0.6636 )
= 41.57°
Calculate the size of angle C .
102.99 + 41.57 + C =
180
=
C 180 − 144.56
= 35.44°
=A 102.99°=
, B 41.57°=
, C 35.44°
Answer
=A 102.99°=
, B 41.57°=
, C 35.44°

(b)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A using the cosine rule.
b2 + c2 − a 2
cos ( A ) =
2bc
19.87 2 + 34.012 − 40.562
=
2 ×19.87 × 34.01
= −0.0693
A 180 − cos −1 ( 0.0693)
=
= 93.97°
Calculate the size of angle B using the sine rule.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( 93.97° ) sin ( B )
=
40.56 19.87
19.87 sin ( 93.97° )
sin ( B ) =
40.56
= 0.4887
B = sin −1 ( 0.4887 )
= 29.26°
Calculate the size of angle C .
93.97 + 29.26 + C =
180
=C 180 − 123.23
= 56.77°
=A 93.97°=
, B 29.26°=
, C 56.77°
Answer
=A 93.97°=
, B 29.26°=
, C 56.77°

(c)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A using the cosine rule.
b2 + c2 − a 2
cos ( A ) =
2bc
46.662 + 23.562 − 43.502
=
2 × 46.66 × 23.56
= 0.3820
A = cos −1 ( 0.3820 )
= 67.54°
Calculate the size of angle B using the sine rule.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( 67.54° ) sin ( B )
=
43.50 46.66
46.66sin ( 67.54° )
sin ( B ) =
43.50
= 0.9913
B = sin −1 ( 0.9913)
= 82.43°
Calculate the size of angle C .
67.54 + 82.43 + C =
180
=C 180 − 149.97
= 30.03°
=A 67.54°=
, B 82.43°=
, C 30.03°
Answer
=A 67.54°=
, B 82.43°=
, C 30.03°

(d)

Worked solution
Calculate the size of angle A using the cosine rule.
b2 + c2 − a 2
cos ( A ) =
2bc
16.862 + 12.782 − 15.342
=
2 ×16.86 ×12.78
= 0.4926
A = cos −1 ( 0.4926 )
= 60.49°
Calculate the size of angle B using the sine rule.

Copyright © Pearson Australia 2019 (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4886 2142 0 Page 5
 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( 60.49° ) sin ( B )
=
15.34 16.86
16.86sin ( 60.49° )
sin ( B ) =
15.34
= 0.9565
B = sin −1 ( 0.9565 )
= 73.04°
Calculate the size of angle C .
60.49 + 73.04 + C =
180
=C 180 − 133.53
= 46.67°
=A 60.49°=
, B 73.04°=
, C 46.47°
Answer
=A 60.49°=
, B 73.04°=
, C 46.47°

4 ∆ABC has side lengths a = 7 m , b = 6 m and c = 11 m . Determine the magnitude of the largest
angle in the triangle, correct to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
The largest angle is opposite the longest side.

The largest angle is opposite the longest side.

a 2 + b2 − c2
cos ( C ) =
2ab
7 + 62 − 112
2
=
2× 7× 6
= −0.4286
C 180 − cos −1 ( 0.4286 )
=
= 115.37°
The largest angle is 115° .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
115°

5 In ∆ABC ,= b 6 and c = 7 .
a 5,=

(a) Which of the following could be ∠ACB ?

A 44.42° B 57.12° C 78.46° D 78.46° or 101.54°

Worked solution

a 2 + b2 − c2
cos ( C ) =
2ab
5 + 62 − 7 2
2
=
2× 5× 6
= 0.2
C = cos −1 ( 0.2 )
= 78.46°
Answer
C

(b) Explain why an ambiguous case is not possible to a student who selected an incorrect response
in part (a).
Worked solution
From the SSS congruence test, there will always be just one solution.
If the angle were obtuse, the cosine would be negative.
Answer
When three sides are known, there will be just one solution. If the angle were obtuse, the cosine
would be negative.

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
6 Calculate, to the nearest degree, all angles of a triangle with sides in the ratio 5:8:11.
Worked solution
Let the sides have lengths of 5 , 8 and 11 units respectively, where the unit length is arbitrary.

Use the cosine rule:

112 = 52 + 82 − 22 × 5 × 8cos ( C )
52 + 82 − 112
cos ( C ) =
2× 5×8
2
= −
5
2
C 180 − cos −1  
=
5
=180 − 66.42°
= 113.58°
Use the sine rule to calculate A .
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
=
a c
sin ( A ) sin (113.58° )
=
5 11
5 sin (113.58° )
sin ( A ) =
11
= 0.4166
A = sin −1 ( 0.4166 )
= 24.62°
B = 180 − ( A + C )
180 − ( 24.62 + 113.58 )
=
= 41.80°
Triangles with angles 24.62° , 41.80° , 113.58° have sides in the ratio 5 : 8 :11 .
Answer
24.62° , 41.80° , 113.58°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
7 A small triangular grazing paddock is advertised as having an approximate area of 100 m 2 . If the
three boundaries of the paddock are 12 m, 16 m and 17 m, determine which of the following
statements is correct.

A The advertised area is correct.

B The actual area is approximately 8 m 2 smaller than advertised.

C The actual area is approximately 95 m 2 .

D The actual area is half the area advertised.

Worked solution
b2 + c 2 − a 2
cos ( A) =
2bc
12 + 172 − 162
2
=
2 (12 )(17 )
59
=
136
 59 
A = cos −1  
 136 
= 64.28...°
Substitute the exact value of A to calculate the area of the paddock, to the nearest square metre.
1
area = bc sin ( A)
2
1
= (12 )(17 ) sin ( 64.28...°)
2
= 91.9 m 2 to the nearest metre
The area is approximately 100 − 92 =
8 m 2 smaller than advertised.
The correct option is B.
Answer
B

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
8 The distance between landmarks on the island of Hawaii can change slightly after an earthquake. The
diagram below shows a triangle with one vertex on a distance-measuring station on Mauna Loa and
the other two vertices on stations on Hualalai and Mauna Kea.

(a) The straight line distance from Mauna Kea to Mauna Loa was measured to be 36.177 km, and
the distance from Mauna Kea to Hualalai was 45.464 km. Also, the angle between these two
lines was measured to be 58.57°. Calculate the straight-line distance between Mauna Loa and
Hualalai, correct to 3 decimal places.
Worked solution

c 2 = a 2 + b 2 − 2ab cos ( C )
=c 2 36.177 2 + 45.4642 − 2 × 36.177 × 45.464 × cos ( 58.57° )
c 2 = 1660.42
c = 40.748
The distance from Hualalai to Mauna Loa is 40.748 km .
Answer
40.748 km

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) After an earthquake, the straight-line distance from Mauna Loa to Hualalai was found to be
40.636 km. Determine the new angle between the two lines from Mauna Kea to the other
volcanoes, correct to 2 decimal places, assuming the other lengths remain the same.
Worked solution
a 2 + b2 − c2
cos ( C ) =
2ab
36.177 2 + 45.4642 − 40.6362
cos ( C ) =
2 × 36.177 × 45.464
cos ( C ) = 0.5242

C = cos −1 ( 0.5242 )
= 58.38°
The new angle is 58.38° .
Answer
58.38°

9 Solve the following triangles. Calculate unknown side lengths and angles correct to 2 decimal places.

(a)

Worked solution
Calculate the length of side a .
a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc cos ( A )
= 18.57 2 + 13.242 − 2 ×18.57 ×13.24 × cos ( 65.40° )
= 315.44
a = 17.76

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Use the sine rule to calculate the size of angle C .
sin ( C ) sin ( A)
=
c a
sin ( C ) sin ( 65.40° )
=
13.24 17.76
13.24sin ( 65.40° )
sin ( C ) =
17.76
= 0.6778
C = sin −1 ( 0.6778)
= 42.67°
Calculate the size of angle B .
42.67 + 65.40 + B =
180
=B 180 − 108.07
= 71.93°
a = 17.76=
, B 71.93°=
, C 42.67°
Answer
a = 17.76=
, B 71.93°=
, C 42.67°

(b)

Worked solution
Calculate the length of side b .
b 2 = a 2 + c 2 − 2ac cos ( B )
= 45.67 2 + 32.962 − 2 × 45.67 × 32.96 × cos ( 46.93° )
= 1116.22
b = 33.41

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Use the sine rule to calculate the angle A .
sin ( A ) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( A ) sin ( 46.93° )
=
45.67 33.41
45.67 sin ( 46.93° )
sin ( A ) =
33.41
= 0.9986
A = sin −1 ( 0.9986 )
= 86.96°
Calculate the size of angle C .
46.93 + 86.96 + C = 180
=C 180 − 133.89
= 46.11
An alternative approach for calculating C is to use the sine rule.
sin ( C ) sin ( B )
=
c b
sin ( C ) sin ( 46.93° )
=
32.96 33.41
32.96sin ( 46.93° )
sin ( C ) =
33.41
= 0.7207
C = sin −1 ( 0.7207 )
= 46.11°
Sum angles to check your answer.
46.93 + 86.96 + 46.11 =
180
=A 86.96° , b = 33.41=
, C 46.11°
Answer
=A 86.96° , b = 33.41=
, C 46.11°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c)

Worked solution
Calculate the length of side c .
c 2 = a 2 + b 2 − 2ab cos ( C )
= 37.122 + 24.87 2 − 2 × 37.12 × 24.87 × cos ( 50.38° )
= 819.01
c = 28.62
Use the sine rule to calculate the angle A .
sin ( A ) sin ( C )
=
a c
sin ( A ) sin ( 50.38° )
=
37.12 28.62
37.12sin ( 50.38° )
sin ( A ) =
28.62
= 0.9991
A = sin −1 ( 0.9991)
= 87.52°
Calculate the size of angle B .
50.38 + 87.52 + B =
180
=B 180 − 137.90
= 42.10°
=A 87.52°=
, B 42.10° , c = 28.62
Answer
=A 87.52°=
, B 42.10° , c = 28.62

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(d)

Worked solution
Calculate the length of side b .
b 2 = a 2 + c 2 − 2ac cos ( B )
= 13.122 + 8.562 − 2 ×13.12 × 8.56 × cos ( 38.53° )
= 69.70
b = 8.35
Use the sine rule to calculate the size of angle A .
sin ( A ) sin ( 38.53° )
=
13.12 8.35
13.12sin ( 38.53° )
sin ( A ) =
8.35
= 0.9788
A = sin −1 ( 0.9788 )
= 78.17°
Calculate the size of angle C .
38.53 + 78.17 + C =
180
=C 180 − 116.70
= 63.30°
=A 78.17° , b = 8.35=
, C 63.30°
Answer
=A 78.17° , b = 8.35=
, C 63.30°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
10 Raphaela has drawn a triangle and labelled the vertices A, B and C. She has measured side AB to be
15 cm and side BC to be 17 cm. She also knows that angle ∠ABC measures 60° . Determine the
unknown side length, correct to the nearest centimetre, and the unknown angles, correct to the nearest
degree.
Worked solution

Calculate the length of side b .

b2 = a 2 + c 2 − 2ac cos ( B )
= 172 + 152 − 2 × 17 × 15 × cos ( 60° )
= 259
b = 16.09
To the nearest centimetre, b = 16 cm .
Use the sine rule to calculate A .
sin ( A) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( A) sin ( 60° )
=
17 16.09
17sin ( 60° )
sin ( A) =
16.09
= 0.9150
A = sin −1 ( 0.9150 )
= 66.21°
To the nearest degree, A = 66° .
Calculate the size of angle C .
66 + 60 + C =
180
=C 180 − 126
= 54°
A= 66° , C= 54° , b = 16 cm
Answer
A= 66° , C= 54° , b = 16 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
11 Kashiare owns a paddock. The lengths of the fences are 324 m, 164 m, 320 m and 183 m as shown in
the diagram. The angle between fence AB and fence AD is 125°. Calculate the area of Kashiare’s
paddock, to the nearest ten square metres.

Worked solution
First calculate the distance BD .
In ∆ABD :
a 2 = b2 + c 2 − 2bc cos ( A)
a=
2
1832 + 3242 − 2 × 183 × 324 × cos (125° )
a 2 = 206 481.99
a = 454.40 ( 2 d.p.)
BD is 454.40 m .
Calculate the area of ∆ABD .
1
area = bc sin ( A)
2
1
= × 183 × 324 × sin (125° )
2
= 24 284.58

The area of ∆ABD is 24 284.58 m 2 .

Calculate the area of ∆BCD .
In ∆BCD :
b2 + d 2 − c 2
cos ( C ) =
2bd
320 + 1642 − 206481.99
2
=
2 × 320 × 164
= −0.73538
C 180 − cos −1 ( 0.73538)
=
= 137.34°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
1
area = bd sin ( C )
2
1
= × 320 × 164 × sin (137.34° )
2
= 17781.53
The area of ∆BCD is 17 781.53 m 2 .
Total area: 17 781.53 + 24 284.58 =
42 066.11
The area of the paddock is 42 070 m 2 to the nearest ten square metres.
Answer
42 070 m 2

12 Two hikers leave the same base camp A for different destinations. Breeana (B) travels 13 km on a
bearing 050°T before setting up a new camp for the night. Campbell (C) hikes 9 km on a bearing
S20°E before pitching her tent.

(a) What is the distance between the new campsites? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
Worked solution
40 + 70 =
110°

90 − 50 =°
40
90 − 20 =°
70
=
A 40 + 70
= 110°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc × cos ( A )

a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc × cos ( A )
= 92 + 132 − 2 × 9 ×13 × cos (110° )
= 330.03
a = 330.03
= 18.16...
= 18.2 km (1 d.p.)
The hikers’ new campsites are 18.2 km apart.
Answer
18.2 km

(b) What is the bearing of Breeana from Campbell’s position? Give your answer to the nearest
degree.
Worked solution
a 2 + b2 − c2
cos ( C ) =
2ab
18.16...2 + 92 − 132
=
2 ×18.16... × 9
= 0.740...
C = cos −1 ( 0.740...)
= 42° to the nearest degree

=
x 42 − 20
= 22°
Breeana’s true bearing from Campbell is 022°T .
Answer
022°T

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
13 A box-shaped room has two pieces of ribbon attached to one corner of the ceiling, stretched tightly to
meet the diagonally opposite corner of the ceiling and the diagonally opposite corner of one wall, as
shown. Determine the angle between the ribbons, correct to 1 decimal place, if the dimensions of the
room are 10.2 m, 6.8 m and 2.2 m.

Worked solution

( AC ) + ( AB )
2 2
=x2
= 2.22 + 6.82
= 51.08
x = 51.08

( CE ) + ( EF )
2 2
=y2
= 10.22 + 6.82
= 150.28
y = 150.28

( AC ) + ( BG )
2 2
=z2
= 2.22 + 10.22
= 108.88
z = 108.88
y 2 + z 2 − x2
cos (θ ) =
2 yz
150.28 + 108.88 − 51.08
=
2 150.28 108.88
= 0.813
∴θ =cos −1 ( 0.813)
= 35.6° (1 d.p.)

The angle between the ribbons is 35.6° .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
35.6°

14 Two helicopters C and D are hovering directly over a level freeway. The diagram shows the angle of
elevation of the helicopters from two observers at A and B who are 5 km apart.

(a) Determine the direct distance of observer A from helicopter D . Give your answer correct to
2 decimal places.
Worked solution

From ∆ABD :
5 AD
=
sin ( 49° ) sin ( 31° )
5sin ( 31° )
AD =
sin ( 49° )
= 3.41 ( 2 d.p.)

The direct distance of observer A from helicopter D is 3.41 km .

Answer
3.41 km

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Determine the direct distance of observer B from helicopter C . Give your answer correct to
2 decimal places.
Worked solution

From ∆ABC
BC 5
=
sin ( 27° ) sin ( 52° )
5sin ( 27° )
BC =
sin ( 52° )
= 2.88 ( 2 d.p.)

The direct distance of observer B from helicopter C is 2.88 km .

Answer
2.88 km

(c) Which helicopter is higher, and by how much? Give your answer to the nearest 10 metres .

Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Let h be the height of helicopter D above ground. Substitute the exact length AD to calculate
the height h .
h
= sin ( 80° )
AD
= h ( 3.41...) sin ( 80° )
= 3.360 ( 3 d.p.)

Let j be the height of helicopter C above the ground.

Substitute the exact length BC to calculate the height j .
j
= sin ( 79° )
BC
j = ( 2.88...° ) sin ( 79° )
= 2.828 ( 3 d.p.)
3.360 − 2.828 = 0.532 km
= 530 m to the nearest 10 metres
Helicopter D is approximately 530 m higher than helicopter C .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
D ; 530 m

(d) Determine the direct distance between the helicopters. Give your answer to the nearest
kilometre.
Worked solution

From ∆ABC substitute the exact length of BC into the equation to calculate AC .
2.88... AC
=
sin ( 27° ) sin (101° )

AC =
( 2.88...) sin (101° )
sin ( 27° )
= 6.229 ( 3 d.p.)

From ∆ACD :

CD = 3.412 + 6.232 − 2 ( 3.41)( 6.23) cos ( 73° )

= 6.2 (1 d.p.)
The direct distance between the helicopters, to the nearest kilometre, is 6 km .
Answer
6 km

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
15 Organisers are setting up an orienteering course in school grounds and they place checkpoints at A, B,
C and D to define the area of the course. The bearing and distance of each checkpoint from a central
command point O are shown.

(a) Determine the perimeter of the course to the nearest metre.

Worked solution
The angle at O subtended by AB :
30 + 40 = 70°

=
AB 502 + 702 − 2 × 50 × 70cos(70°)
= 70.75 m (2 d.p.)
The angle at O subtended by BC :
180 − 70 − 40 = 70°

=
BC 1002 + 702 − 2 × 100 × 70cos(70°)
= 100.56 m (2 d.p.)
The angle at O subtended by CD :
20 + 70 = 90°
OCD is a right-angled triangle, so

=
CD 1202 + 1002
= 156.20 m (2 d.p.)
The angle at O subtended by AD :
180 − 20 − 30 = 130°

=
AD 502 + 1202 − 2 × 50 × 120cos(130°)
= 156.89 m (2 d.p.)

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Calculate the perimeter:
P = AB + BC + CD + AD
=70.75 + 100.56 + 156.20 + 156.89
= 484.40
= 484 m (to the nearest m)
The perimeter of the course is 484 m .
Answer
484 m

(b) If checkpoint A moved along the same bearing so that the perimeter of the course is 500 m ,
should the distance AO be less than 60 m or more than 60 m ? Assume that all other
checkpoints remain fixed.
Worked solution
500 − 484.40 =
15.60 m
The perimeter is to be increased by 15.60 m .
The length of AB plus AD now needs to be:
70.75 + 156.89 + 15.60 =
243.24 m
If OA = 60 m

=
AD 602 + 1202 − 2 × 60 × 120cos (130° )
= 165.094...
=
AB 602 + 702 − 2 × 60 × 70cos ( 70° )
= 75.013...
240.11 m ( 2 d.p.)
AD + AB =
AD + AB < 243.24
The distance AO should be more than 60 m .
Answer
more than 60 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c) Calculate the original area within the course boundaries (that is, the area of shape ABCD ) to the
nearest square metre.
Worked solution
1
area = ab sin C
2
∆OAB :
1
A = × 50 × 70 × sin(70°)
2
= 1644.46 m 2 ( 2 d.p.)
∆OBC :
1
A = ×100 × 70 × sin(70°)
2
= 3288.92 m 2 ( 2 d.p.)

∆OAD :
1
A = ×120 × 50 × sin(130°)
2
= 2298.13 m 2 ( 2 d.p.)

1
area = bh
2
∆OCD :
1
A = ×100 ×120
2
= 6000 m 2
Total area =
6000 + 2298.13 + 3288.92 + 1644.46
= 13 231.51 m 2
= 13 232 m 2 (to the nearest m 2 )

The area of the course is 13 232 m 2 .

Answer
13 232 m 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(d) Checkpoint A is to be moved along the same bearing so that the area of the course will become
15 000 m 2 . Assuming that all other checkpoints remain fixed, determine the new length OA
(correct to 1 decimal place).
Worked solution
The area needs to be increased by 15000 − 13231.51 =
1768.49 m 2 .

The area of OBAD now needs to be 1644.46 + 2298.13 + 1768.49 =

5711.08 m 2 .
Let OA = x .
1 1
5711.08 =
× x × 70sin(70°) + × x ×120sin(130°)
2 2
= 32.8892 x + 45.9627 x
= 78.8519 x
=x 5711.08 ÷ 78.8519
= 72.4 m (1 d.p.)
The new length for OA will be 72.4 m .
Answer
72.4 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

Worked solutions
Chapter 7 Sine and cosine rules
Chapter review 7
TF Technology free question

1 Convert each of the following angles.

(a) Convert to degrees, correct to 2 decimal places where necessary.

3π
(i)
4

Worked solution
3π 3π 180°
= ×
4 4 π
= 135°
Answer
135°
(ii) 1.26c

Worked solution
1.26 × 180°
1.26c =
π
= 72.19°
Answer
72.19°

(b) Convert 124° to radians, in terms of π .

Worked solution
π 31π
124° × =
180° 45
Answer
31π
45

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(c) Convert 47° to radians, correct to 3 decimal places.
Worked solution
π
47° × = 0.820c ( 3 d.p.)
180°
Answer
0.820c

TF 2 At 3 pm a telecommunications tower 50 3 m high produces a shadow of length 50 m. Determine the

angle that the Sun’s rays make with the horizontal at this time.
Worked solution

50 3
tan (θ ) =
50
= 3
∴ θ= 60°
The angle that the Sun's rays make with the horizontal is 60° .
Answer
60°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
3 The values of x and y respectively in the given triangle are closest to which one of the following
pairs of values?

A 25.66 and 22.31

B 22.31 and 25.66

C 29.56 and 25.56

D 22.31 and 29.56

Worked solution
x
cos ( 41° ) =
34
= x 34 cos ( 41° )
x = 25.66
y
sin ( 41° ) =
34
= y 34sin ( 41° )
y = 22.31
The correct option is A.
Answer
A

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
4 Determine the length of side x , correct to 2 decimal places.

Worked solution
x
= tan ( 34.53° )
654.32
= x 654.32 tan ( 34.53° )
= 450.21 units ( 2 d.p.)

Answer
x = 450.21 units

5 A right-angled triangle has a side of length 62 cm and a hypotenuse of 110 cm . Calculate the angle
opposite the 62 cm side length, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution
62
sin (θ ) =
110
 62 
θ = sin −1 

 110 
=θ 34.31° ( 2 d.p.)
The angle opposite the 62 cm side length is 34.31° .
Answer
34.31°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
6 Singh is standing 20 m from the base of a building. He measures the angle to the top of the building
and finds it to be 40° . He then measures the angle to the top of a radio mast on top of the building,
finding that it is 52° . Determine the height of the radio mast, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution
Let a be the height of the building and b be the height from the ground to the top of the radio
mast.

a
tan ( 40° ) =
20
= a 20 tan ( 40° )
a = 16.782 ( 3 d.p.)

b
tan ( 52° ) =
20
= b 20 tan ( 52° )
b = 25.599 ( 3 d.p.)
b=
− a 25.599 − 16.782
= 8.82 ( 2 d.p.)
The height of the radio mast is 8.82 m .
Answer
8.82 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
7 From the top of a 45 m skyscraper the angle of depression of an object at P on the wall of a smaller
building opposite is 40°. The width of the street is 18 m .

(a) Determine the height of the object at P , correct to the nearest metre.
Worked solution

= AB − AP
PB
= CS
AB = 45m
From ∆ACP :
AP
tan ( 40° ) =
18
= AP 18 tan ( 40° )
= 15 ( nearest m )
= AB − AP
PB
= 45 − 15
= 30 m
The object on the opposite wall is 30 m above ground level.
Answer
30 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Determine the angle of elevation of P from the foot of the skyscraper, correct to the nearest
degree.
Worked solution

30
tan ( ∠BSP ) =
18
 30 
tan −1  
∠BSP =
 18 
= 59° ( nearest degree )
The angle of elevation of point P from the foot of the skyscraper is 59° .
Answer
59°

TF 8 In order to try to control a bushfire in the Avon Wilderness, firefighters plan to form containment lines
in a triangular shape around the perimeter of the fire. Two containment lines starting from Huggetts
Crossing will be 33 km and 36 km long and the angle between them is 30°. Determine the area
enclosed by the containment lines.
Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Let A = 30° , b = 33 km , c = 36 km .
1
area = bc sin ( A)
2
1
= × 33 × 36 × sin ( 30° )
2
1 1
= × 33 × 36 ×
2 2
= 33 × 9
= 297 km 2
The area enclosed by the containment lines is 297 km 2 .
Answer
297 km 2

9 In ∆ABC , if a = 12 cm , b = 14 cm , c = 17 cm and ∠ACB =

65° , what is the area of the triangle in
square centimetres?

A 152

B 36

C 108

D 76
Worked solution
C = 65° , a = 12 cm , b = 14 cm
1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 12 × 14sin ( 65° )
2
= 76 cm 2 ( nearest cm 2 )

The correct option is D.

Answer
D

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
10 Milosh needs to plant a canola crop in a triangular paddock. One side of the paddock measures
475 m , another measures 612 m and the angle between these two sides is 132° .

(a) Calculate the area in which the canola is to be planted, correct to the nearest square metre.
Worked solution

1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 475 × 612sin (132° )
2
= 108016

The area of the paddock is 108 016 m 2 .

Answer
108 016 m 2

(b) Milosh’s mother, Anika, has finished preparing an extra area for planting such that the side of
the paddock measuring 612 m is now extended to 643 m . How much extra area now needs to
be planted, correct to the nearest square metre?
Worked solution

1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 475 × 643sin (132 )
2
= 113487
=
extra area 113487 − 108016
= 5471
Assuming that the extra area is all utilised, an additional 5471 m 2 can be planted.
Answer
5471 m 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
11 Ethan wants to calculate the area of a triangular lot. He determines that two sides are 70 m and 30 m
and the angle between them is 4° . What is the area of the lot, correct to 1 decimal place?
Worked solution

1
area = bc sin ( A )
2
1
= ( 30 )( 70 ) sin ( 4° )
2
= 73.2 m 2 (1 d.p.)

The area of the lot is 73.2 m 2 .

Answer
73.2 m 2

12 In ∆ABC , a = 3.3 m , b = 3.4 m , c = 3.5 m . Calculate the largest angle and hence the area. Give
your answers correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution
The largest angle is opposite the longest side.
a 2 + b2 − c 2
cos ( C ) =
2ab
3.3 + 3.42 − 3.52
2
=
2 × 3.3 × 3.4
5
=
11
5
C = cos −1  
 11 
= 62.964 °
1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
= × 3.3 × 3.4sin ( 62.964 ° )
2
= 5.00 m 2 ( 2.d.p.)

The largest angle is 62.96° .

The area is 5.00 m 2 .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
62.96° , 5.00 m 2

13 The sewerage system for a particular property has three inspection points: W, X and Y. Point Y is 40 m
due north of W, and point X is in a direction S76°E from Y and N46°E from W. How far apart are
points W and X, correct to 2 decimal places?

Worked solution
In ∆ WXY :
Y= 90 − 14
= 76°
W= 46°
X = 180 − 76 − 46
= 58°
y 40
=
sin ( 76° ) sin ( 58° )
40sin ( 76° )
y=
sin ( 58° )
y = 45.77 m (2 d.p.)
Points W and X are 45.77 m apart.
Answer
45.77 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
TF 14 Calculate the exact value of the unknown side length, x cm .

Worked solution
a = 18 , A= 60° , C= 45°
a c
=
sin ( A) sin ( C )
18 c
=
sin ( 60° ) sin ( 45° )
18sin ( 45° )
c=
sin ( 60° )
18 × 2
3
= 3
2
×
2 3
18 × 6
=
3
=6 6
Therefore, x = 6 6 cm .
Answer
x = 6 6 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
15 In ∆ABC , if a = 15 , ∠ABC =
35° and b = 21 , then ∠BAC could be which of the following
angles?

A 53° B 24° only C 24° or 156° D 92°

Worked solution

sin ( A) sin ( B )
=
a b
sin ( x ) sin ( 35° )
=
15 21
sin ( 35° )
=sin ( x ) × 15
21
= 0.4097
∠BAC is opposite the smaller of the given sides, so it must be acute.
x = sin −1 ( 0.4097 )
= 24°
∠BAC is 24° .
The correct option is B.
Answer
B

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
16 In ∆ABC , c = 15 , ∠ABC =
56° and ∠BCA =
67° . Calculate the length of side a , correct to
2 decimal places.
Worked solution
B = 56° and C = 67°
56 + 67 + A =180
A= 57°
c a
=
sin ( C ) sin ( A)
15 a
=
sin ( 67° ) sin ( 57° )
15sin ( 57° )
a=
sin ( 67° )
a = 13.67 ( 2 d.p.)
So, a = 13.67 units .
Answer
a = 13.67 units

17 Solve ∆ABC by calculating each angle, correct to 2 decimal places.

Worked solution
a = 9.43 , b = 12.68 , c = 4.91
b2 + c 2 − a 2
cos ( A) =
2bc
12.682 + 4.912 − 9.432
=
2 × 12.68 × 4.91
= 0.770699
A = cos −1 ( 0.770699 )
= 39.5833
= 39.58° ( 2 d.p.)

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
a 2 + c 2 − b2
cos ( B ) =
2ac
9.432 + 4.912 − 12.682
=
2 × 9.43 × 4.91
= −0.515638
B 180 − cos −1 ( 0.515638)
=
= 121.04°
= 180° − ( 39.58° + 121.04° )
C
= 19.38°
=
In summary: A 39.58=
° , B 121.04°=
, C 19.38°
Answer
=A 39.58=
° , B 121.04°=
, C 19.38°

TF 18 A triangular block of land

has two boundary fences of length 50 m and 80 m and the angle that the
fences make with each other is 60°. Determine the exact length of the third boundary fence.
Worked solution

a 2 = b 2 + c 2 − 2bc cos ( a )
x 2= 502 + 802 − 2 × 50 × 80 cos ( 60 )
1
= 2500 + 6400 − 8000 ×
2
= 8900 − 4000
= 4900
∴x = 70 m
The exact length of the third boundary fence is 70 m .
Answer
70 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
19 In ∆ABC , if BC = 12 , AC = 13 and AB = 14 , then ∠ABC is equal to which one of the following
angles?

A 67.98° B 59.41° C 52.62° D 120.59°

Worked solution

a 2 + c2 − b2
cos ( B ) =
2ac
12 + 142 − 132
2
=
2 × 12 × 14
57
=
112
 57 
B = cos −1  
 112 
= 59.41° ( 2 d.p.)
The correct option is B.
Answer
B

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
20 Simon is looking up at the top of a flagpole. His eyes are 2 m above the ground. The vertical flagpole
subtends an angle of 42° at Simon’s eyes as shown in the diagram. The angle of depression of the foot
of the flagpole from Simon’s eyes is 12°.

(a) Determine the height of the flagpole, correct to 2 decimal places.

Worked solution

From ∆ABD :
2
tan (12° ) =
AB
2
AB =
tan (12° )
= 9.409 ( 3 d.p.)
∴ DP =
9.409
From ∆DPC :
CP
tan ( 30° ) =
DP
= CP 9.409 tan ( 30° )
= 5.432 ( 3 d.p.)
= CP + PB
CB
= 5.432 + 2
= 7.432 ( 3 d.p.)
The height of the flagpole is 7.43 m .
Answer
7.43 m

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Determine the direct distance from Simon’s eyes to the top of the flagpole, correct to 2 decimal
places.
Worked solution
Consider ∆DPC .
Calculate DC , given DP = 9.409 m and CP = 5.432 m .
9.409
cos ( 30° ) =
DC
9.409
DC =
cos ( 30° )
DC = 10.86 ( 2 d.p.)
Alternatively: Pythagoras’ theorem could also be used.

10.86 ( 2 d.p.)
9.4092 + 5.4322 =
The direct distance from Simon’s eyes to the top of the flagpole is 10.86 m .
Answer
10.86 m

(c) Determine the angle of depression from the top of the flagpole to the point A on the ground at
Simon’s feet, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution

7.432
tan ( ∠BAC ) =
9.409
 7.432 
tan −1 
∠BAC = 
 9.409 
= 38.30° ( 2 d.p.)
The angle of depression from the top of the flagpole to the point A on the ground at Simon’s
feet is 38.30° .
Answer
38.30°

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
TF 21 Four circular discs,
each of radius 5 cm , with centres A , B , C and D , are arranged so that they
touch as shown in the diagram.

(a) Calculate the lengths of BD and AC .

Worked solution

Calculate the length of BD .

From the diagram:
BD= 5 + 5
= 10 cm
Using Pythagoras’ theorem with ∆AOB .

=
AO 102 − 52
= 75
=5 3
AC= 2 × 5 3
= 10 3 cm
Answer
BD = 10 cm , AC = 10 3 cm

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Determine the area of ∆ABD .
Worked solution
2 × ( area of ∆AOB )
area of ∆ABD =
1 
=
2 ×  AO × OB 
2 
= 5 3 ×5
= 25 3

The area of triangle ∆ABD is 25 3 cm 2 .

Answer
25 3 cm 2

22 Given A = 19.23°, a = 22.46, b = 36.12, solve ∆ABC by calculating the unknown side length and
angles, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
For triangle II:
sin ( B ) sin ( A)
=
b a
sin ( B ) sin (19.23° )
=
36.12 22.46
36.12sin (19.23)
sin ( B ) =
22.46
= 0.529 6
Choosing the acute angle:
B = sin −1 ( 0.529 68)
= 31.98° ( 2 d.p. )
19.23 + 31.98 + C =
180
=C 180 − 51.21
= 128.79°
a c
=
sin ( A) sin ( C )
22.46 c
=
sin (19.23° ) sin (128.79° )
22.46sin (128.79° )
c=
sin (19.23° )
= 53.15 ( 2 d.p. )
For triangle I:
=B 180 − 31.98
= 148.02°
19.23 + 148.02 + C =
180
=C 180 − 167.25
= 12.75°
a c
=
sin ( A) sin ( C )
22.46 c
=
sin (19.23° ) sin (12.75° )
22.46sin (12.75° )
c=
sin (19.23° )
= 15.05 ( 2 d.p.)
In triangle II: B = 31.98° , C = 128.79° , c = 53.15 .
In triangle I: B = 148.02° , C = 12.75° , c = 15.05 .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
B = 31.98° , C = 128.79° , c = 53.15 ; or B = 148.02° , C = 12.75° , c = 15.05

23 The Moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical. At perigee (its closest approach) the Moon comes as
close as 363 104 km. At apogee (the farthest away it gets) the Moon is 406 696 km from the Earth.
The distance from the Earth to the Moon can be found by measuring the angle of elevation of the
Moon at two locations at precisely the same time. On 26 April 1976, the angle of elevation of the
Moon was measured at the German towns of Bochum and Donaueschingen, which are 404 km apart.
At 11:35 am the angle of elevation was 52.70° at Bochum and 52.75° at Donaueschingen.

(a) Calculate the distance from Bochum to the Moon on this day.
Worked solution

=A 180 − 52.75
= 127.25°
B=180 − 127.25 − 52.70
= 0.05°
a 404
=
sin (127.25° ) sin ( 0.05° )
404sin (127.25° )
a=
sin ( 0.05° )
= 368509
Bochum was 368509 km from the Moon on this day.
Answer
368509 km

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
(b) Compare the distance calculated in part (a) with the average distance from the Earth to the
Moon. State any assumptions you had to make.
Worked solution
median distance:
363104 + 406696
= 384 900 km
2
The perigee is 363104 km , the apogee is 406696 km , the average is 384 900 km .
368509 < 384 000 , so the distance found on this day is less than the average distance from the
Earth to the Moon.
Assume the distances calculated are not significantly affected by the position on the Earth, and
that the quoted distances are close enough to surface-to-surface distances (even if they refer to
centre-of-mass distances).
Answer
closer than average distance; closer to perigee than to apogee

24 A box-shaped room has two pieces of ribbon attached to an edge of the ceiling, two-thirds of the way
along from the corner. The pieces are stretched tightly to meet the corners of the floor diagonally
opposite, as shown. Determine the angle between the ribbons, correct to 1 decimal place, if the
dimensions of the room are 6.9 m, 5.7 m and 2.1 m.

Worked solution
Let the hypotenuses of triangles on the back wall be w and x .
Let the ribbon lengths be y and z .
Let the angle between the ribbons be θ .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland

2
2 
=w  GH  + ( FG )
2 2

3 
= 4.6 + 2.12
2

= 25.57
w = 25.57
2
1 
=x 2  GH  + ( FG )
2

3 
= 2.3 + 2.12
2

= 9.7
x = 9.7

y= w2 + ( AE )
2 2

= w2 + 5.72
= 25.57 + 32.49
= 58.06
y = 58.06

z= x 2 + ( DF )
2 2

= x 2 + 5.72
= 9.7 + 32.49
= 42.19
z = 42.19

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Ribbons triangle:
y 2 + z 2 − 6.92
cos (θ ) =
2 yz
58.06 + 42.19 − 47.61
=
2 58.06 42.19
= 0.531
θ = cos −1 ( 0.531)
= 57.9° (1 d.p.)
The angle between the ribbons is 57.9° .
Answer
57.9°

25

(a) Determine the distance D to the nearest kilometre.

Worked solution
90 − 10 = 80°
Alternate angles are equal, so for the triangle:
= 80 + 20
Q
= 100°
q 2 = o 2 + p 2 − 2 × o × p × cos ( Q )
= 302 + 172 − 2 × 30 × 17 × cos (100° )
= 1366.1...
q = 1366.1...
= 36.96 …
= 37 km ( nearest km )

D is 37 km .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Answer
D = 37 km

(b) Determine the bearing of point P from point O to the nearest degree.
Worked solution
p 2 + q2 − o2
cos ( O ) =
2 pq
172 + 36.962 − 302
=
2 × 17 × 36.96
= 0.60...
O = cos −1 ( 0.60...)
= 53° ( nearest degree )
20 + 53 = 73°
The bearing of point P from point O is 073° T .
Answer
073° T

26 Each of the two equal angles in an isosceles triangle is four times as large as the remaining angle. The
perimeter of the triangle is 30 cm. Determine the area of the triangle, correct to 2 decimal places.
Worked solution

The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180° :

9θ = 180°
θ = 20°
A= B= 80°
C = 20°
x + 2l =
30
=
x 30 − 2l [1]

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
From the sine rule:
x l
=
sin ( 20° ) sin ( 80° )
l sin ( 20° )
x= [ 2]
sin ( 80° )
Equating expressions for x :
l sin ( 20° )
= 30 − 2l
sin ( 80° )
 sin ( 20° ) 
l 2 + =30
 sin ( 80° ) 
 sin ( 20° ) 
l = 30 ÷  2 + 
 sin ( 80° ) 
30
=
2.3473
= 12.78 ( 2 d.p.)

1
area = ab sin ( C )
2
1
=× 12.78 × 12.78 × sin ( 20° )
2
= 27.93 cm 2 ( 2 d.p. )

The area of the triangle is 27.93 cm 2 .

Answer
27.93 cm 2

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
27 The area of the triangle shown below is 4 11 cm 2 . The length of the shortest side is x cm, the length
of the longest side is (x + 7) cm and the length of the third side is 3x cm. Use technology to determine
all possible values of x, correct to 1 decimal place.

Worked solution
Use the formula for area of a triangle:
1
area = bc sin ( A)
2
1
= x × 3x × sin (θ )
2
3x 2
= sin (θ )
2
3x 2
sin (θ ) = 4 11
2
8 11
sin (θ ) =
3x 2
Using the cosine rule:

( x + 7) = x 2 + ( 3x ) − 2 × x × 3x × cos (θ )
2 2

x 2 + 14 x + 49= 10 x 2 − 6 x 2 cos (θ )
6 x 2 cos (θ ) = 9 x 2 − 14 x − 49
9 x 2 − 14 x − 49
cos (θ ) =
6x2
 8 11 
Using technology, determine the point of intersection of y = sin −1  2 
and
 3x 
−1  9 x − 14 x − 49 
2
y = cos  .
 6x2 
The solution for θ as an acute angle is: x = 6.8 .
 8 11 
Using technology, determine the point of intersection of y= π − sin −1  2 
and
 3x 
 9 x 2 − 14 x − 49 
y = cos −1  .
 6x2 
The solution for θ as an obtuse angle is: x = 3 .

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 Mathematical Methods 12 Queensland
Alternatively, using the trigonometric identity sin 2 ( x ) + cos2 ( x ) =
1:
2
 8 11   9 x 2 − 14 x − 49 
2

 2 
+  =
1
 3x   6x2 
Solving the above equation for x using technology gives x = 3 or x = 6.8 .
Answer
x = 3cm or x = 6.8cm

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