The Law

Of
Sines
For any  ABC in which a, b, and c are the length
of the sides opposite the angles with measures
A, B, and C respectively

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑨 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑩 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑪

= =
𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
= =
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝑪
 b sin C = c sin B
A

sin 𝐶 sin 𝐵
=
b c 𝑐 𝑏

C B
By cyclic change of letters, the las of sines was
derived.
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶
Examples:
=
𝑏 𝑐
A 𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 18 sin 46
b= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶 sin 29
b
18

B
460 290
C
b = 26.71 units
2)
sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
B
=
450
𝑏 𝑐
𝑐𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝐵 25 sin 45
Sin C = =
25 in 𝑏 20
−1 25 sin 45
c = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
A C
20
20 in C = 62.110
A = 180-( 45 + 62.11) = 72.89
A) Solve each triangle for the indicated side.

1)  A = 390 ,  B = 420, c = 47 cm; find a

2)  B = 720,  C = 310, a = 103 in; find b

3) A = 480,  B = 380, b = 49 m; find c

4)  A = 1350 ,  C = 250, a = 79 cm. find c

5)  A = 48.70, B = 40.20, b = 29 ft, find a

B) Solve for the indicated angle.

1) A = 350, a = 40 in, b = 75 in; find m B

2) A = 950, a = 120 m, c = 70m; find m C

3) B = 700 , b = 80 ft, c = 50 ft; find m C

4) A = 1000, a = 125 ft, c = 78 ft; find m C

5) B = 560, b = 25 m, a = 45 m; find m A
C) Solve each  PQR. Express the lengths of the sides to
three significant digits and the angle measures to the
nearest tenth of a degree.
1) P = 32.60, R = 46.90, r = 115 cm
2) P = 54.20, Q = 45.90; r = 76.1 ft
3) Q = 113.40, P = 27.50; p = 56.3 in
4) R = 54.90, Q = 110.30, q = 73.2 cm
5) P = 47.30, Q = 65.20, p = 96.4 ft
6) Q = 132.70, P = 28.10, p = 67.4
7) P = 45.80, R = 32.60, p =113 in
8) P = 76.70, Q = 29.30, r = 87.0 in
9) Q = 129.70, P = 23.80, p = 112
10) Q = 31.70, P = 42.90, p = 87.6
D. In exercises 1- 5, give angle measures to the nearest
degree and lengths to two significant digits, unless
otherwise specified.

1) From two points P and Q that are 140 ft apart, the

lines of sight to a flagpole across a river make angles
of 790 and 580, respectively, with the line joining P
and Q. What are the distances from P and Q to the
flagpole?
D. In exercises 1- 5, give angle measures to the nearest
degree and lengths to two significant digits, unless
otherwise specified.

2) Suppose that a parcel of land is triangular in shape,

with vertices A and B on the roadway, and the third
vertex marked at C. A surveyor measures the
distance from A to B and finds that it is 245.8 ft. The
line of sight from A and B to C make angles of 79.460
and 51.670, respectively. Find the measure of angle C
and the lengths of AC and BC. Give the angle
measure to the nearest hundredth of a degree and the
lengths to the nearest tenth of a foot.
D. In exercises 1- 5, give angle measures to the nearest
degree and lengths to two significant digits, unless
otherwise specified.

3) As you walk on a straight level path toward a

mountain, the measure of the angle of elevation to the
peak from one point is 330. From a point 1000 ft closer,
the angle of elevation is 350. How high is the mountain?
D. In exercises 1- 5, give angle measures to the nearest
degree and lengths to two significant digits, unless
otherwise specified.

4) A flagpole stands on the edge of a river bank. From a

point on the opposite bank directly across from the
flagpole, the measure of the angle of elevation to the top
of the pole is 250. From a point 200 ft further away and in
line with the pole and the first point, the measure of the
angle of elevation to the top of the pole is 210. Draw a
diagram. Then find the distance across the river.
D. In exercises 1- 5, give angle measures to the nearest
degree and lengths to two significant digits, unless
otherwise specified.

5) You measure the angle of elevation to an airplane as

46.30. At the same time your friend, who is 600 ft closer
to a point directly beneath the plane, measures the angle
of elevation as 47.50. Draw the diagram, then find the
altitude of the plane.