Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    DwhiteMann's Avatar
    DwhiteMann Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 11, 2006, 11:29 AM
    Triginometry
    I how do I find the angles, if I only know the lengths of the 3 sides?
    rudi_in's Avatar
    rudi_in Posts: 251, Reputation: 45
    Full Member
     
    #2

    Nov 11, 2006, 12:52 PM
    Thank you for posting your question to the Ask Me Help Desk.

    If you are given the lengths of 3 sides of a right triangle...

    SinΘ = opp/hyp

    This means that if you divide the two lengths that correspond to the side opposite the angle you are looking for and the hypotenuse the answer will be sinΘ. You can then take the inverse sin to solve for Θ.

    You can also use

    cosΘ = adj/hyp which is the adjacent side to the angle you are looking for and the hypotenuse

    tanΘ = opp/adj which is the opposite divided by the adjacent side

    Don't forget to take the inverse function to solve for theta.
    asterisk_man's Avatar
    asterisk_man Posts: 476, Reputation: 32
    Full Member
     
    #3

    Nov 13, 2006, 01:28 PM
    As rudi_in said, the info he gave is for a right triangle, i.e. one with one angle = 90degrees.
    If the triangle is not a right triangle things get much more complex. The info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle is enough to figure it out. If you need someone to give assistance let us know.
    asterisk_man's Avatar
    asterisk_man Posts: 476, Reputation: 32
    Full Member
     
    #4

    Nov 13, 2006, 02:03 PM
    I just found an example of how to find the angles of a triangle given the three side lengths:
    http://www.teacherschoice.com.au/Mat...e_trig_SSS.htm
    s_cianci's Avatar
    s_cianci Posts: 5,472, Reputation: 760
    Uber Member
     
    #5

    Nov 19, 2006, 06:48 PM
    Apply the law of cosines first (to find one of the angles), then apply the law of sines to find the other 2.
    JunoK1's Avatar
    JunoK1 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #6

    Nov 11, 2007, 11:26 PM
    Use the Law of Cosines

    In any triangle ABC, with sides a, b, and c,
    a^2=b^2+c^2-2bc cos A
    b^2=a^2+c^2-2ac cos B
    c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab cos C
    terryg752's Avatar
    terryg752 Posts: 197, Reputation: 4
    Junior Member
     
    #7

    Nov 12, 2007, 02:10 AM
    According to the Law of Cosines

    In any triangle ABC, with sides a, b, and c,
    a^2=b^2+c^2-2bc cos A
    b^2=a^2+c^2-2ac cos B
    c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab cos C

    So if you want find angle A:

    From above:

    2bc cos A = b^2 + c^2 - a^2

    From this equation you can find A
    nycfunction's Avatar
    nycfunction Posts: 29, Reputation: 4
    New Member
     
    #8

    Nov 12, 2007, 04:28 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by DwhiteMann
    I how do I find the angles, if I only know the lengths of the 3 sides?
    If you know the lengths of the sides and want to find the angle measures of a given triangle, use the law cosines.

    Here is link:

    The law of cosines. Topics in trigonometry

    I hope this helps.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Trig [ 2 Answers ]

A vertical pole 12.8m high casts a shadow 56.1m long. What is the inclination of the sun.

Trig [ 2 Answers ]

can someone help me solve this problem please 1/1-sinx + 1/1+sinx=2sec^2x

Trig [ 1 Answers ]

How do I get "sec x - tan x" equal to "cos x / 1 + sin x"

PreCalc Trig [ 1 Answers ]

solve for theta with calc 5 sin 3 theta = -2


View more questions Search