Sine Rule

9.1 Sine Rule
 
Diagram illustrating the sine rule, featuring a mind map that explains conditions and formulas related to the sine rule.
 
Definition of Sine Rule
Sine Rule Formula

A triangle diagram with labeled side a, b, and c and opposite angle A, B, and C respectively.

  • Based on triangle \(ABC\) above, the sine rule is given by:

\(\dfrac{a}{\sin{A}}=\dfrac{b}{\sin{B}}=\dfrac{c}{\sin{C}}\)

  • Alternatively, it can be written as:

\(\dfrac{\sin{A}}{a}=\dfrac{\sin{B}}{b}=\dfrac{\sin{C}}{c}\)

  • Where \(a\)\(b\), and \(c\) are the lengths of the sides opposite angles \(A\)\(B\), and \(C\) respectively.
 
Condition for Using the Sine Rule
When to Use
  • When two angles and one side are known.
  • When two sides and a non-included angle are known.
Not Applicable
  • In right-angled triangles for which the Sine Rule can be replaced by basic trigonometric ratios.
 
Applications of the Sine Rule
Finding Missing Side
  • Given two angles and one side, use the sine rule to find the other sides.
Finding Missing Angle
  • Given two sides and one non-included angle, use the sine rule to find the unknown angle.
Ambiguous Case
  • When given two sides and a non-included angle, the triangle may have two solutions (two possible triangles), one solution (one triangle), or no solution.
 
Ambiguous Case
Condition
  • When two sides and one non-included angle (\(a\)\(b\)\(\angle{A}\)) are given, an ambiguous case occurs if:
    • \(a \lt b\),
    • \(\angle{A}\) is an acute angle.
  • Two triangles exist (triangle \(AB_1C\) and \(AB_2C\)).
Figure \(1\)

Triangle depicting the ambiguous case with sides a and b, showcasing angles A, B1, B2, and C.

Figure \(2\)

Another different triangle illustrating the ambiguous case with sides a and b, exhibits angles A, B1, B2 and C.

 
Example \(1\)
Question

Triangle LMN with sides measuring 7 cm and angles of 40° at N and 85° at L, showcasing its geometric properties.

In the diagram above,  \(LMN\) is a triangle.

Find the length of \(LN\).

Solution

Based on the question,

\(\begin{aligned} \angle{M}&=180^\circ -85^ \circ-40^\circ \\ &=55 ^\circ. \end{aligned}\)


Applying the Sine Rule:

\(\begin{aligned} \dfrac{LN}{\sin 55^\circ}&=\dfrac{7}{ \sin 40 ^\circ} \\\\ LN&= \dfrac{7}{ \sin 40 ^\circ} \times \sin 55^\circ \\\\ &= 8.92 \text{ cm}. \end{aligned}\)

 
Example \(2\)
Question

Given a triangle \(ABC\) such that \(AB=6.2\) cm, \(AC=4.8\) cm, and \(\angle{ABC}=43^\circ\).

Find the possible values of \(\angle{BCA}\).

Diagram of triangle ABC featuring two sides and an angle, with lengths AB=6.2 cm, AC=4.8 cm, and angle B=43°.

Solution

Apply the Sine Rule to find the possible angles of \(C\):

\(\begin{aligned} \dfrac{\sin C}{6.2}&=\dfrac{\sin 43^\circ}{ 4.8} .\\\\ \angle BC_1A&=\sin^{-1} \left( \dfrac{\sin 43^\circ}{4.8} \times 6.2 \right) \\\\ &=61.75 ^ \circ. \\\\ \angle BC_2A&= 180 ^\circ-61.75 ^ \circ \\\\ &=118.25 ^\circ. \end{aligned}\)

 

Sine Rule

9.1 Sine Rule
 
Diagram illustrating the sine rule, featuring a mind map that explains conditions and formulas related to the sine rule.
 
Definition of Sine Rule
Sine Rule Formula

A triangle diagram with labeled side a, b, and c and opposite angle A, B, and C respectively.

  • Based on triangle \(ABC\) above, the sine rule is given by:

\(\dfrac{a}{\sin{A}}=\dfrac{b}{\sin{B}}=\dfrac{c}{\sin{C}}\)

  • Alternatively, it can be written as:

\(\dfrac{\sin{A}}{a}=\dfrac{\sin{B}}{b}=\dfrac{\sin{C}}{c}\)

  • Where \(a\)\(b\), and \(c\) are the lengths of the sides opposite angles \(A\)\(B\), and \(C\) respectively.
 
Condition for Using the Sine Rule
When to Use
  • When two angles and one side are known.
  • When two sides and a non-included angle are known.
Not Applicable
  • In right-angled triangles for which the Sine Rule can be replaced by basic trigonometric ratios.
 
Applications of the Sine Rule
Finding Missing Side
  • Given two angles and one side, use the sine rule to find the other sides.
Finding Missing Angle
  • Given two sides and one non-included angle, use the sine rule to find the unknown angle.
Ambiguous Case
  • When given two sides and a non-included angle, the triangle may have two solutions (two possible triangles), one solution (one triangle), or no solution.
 
Ambiguous Case
Condition
  • When two sides and one non-included angle (\(a\)\(b\)\(\angle{A}\)) are given, an ambiguous case occurs if:
    • \(a \lt b\),
    • \(\angle{A}\) is an acute angle.
  • Two triangles exist (triangle \(AB_1C\) and \(AB_2C\)).
Figure \(1\)

Triangle depicting the ambiguous case with sides a and b, showcasing angles A, B1, B2, and C.

Figure \(2\)

Another different triangle illustrating the ambiguous case with sides a and b, exhibits angles A, B1, B2 and C.

 
Example \(1\)
Question

Triangle LMN with sides measuring 7 cm and angles of 40° at N and 85° at L, showcasing its geometric properties.

In the diagram above,  \(LMN\) is a triangle.

Find the length of \(LN\).

Solution

Based on the question,

\(\begin{aligned} \angle{M}&=180^\circ -85^ \circ-40^\circ \\ &=55 ^\circ. \end{aligned}\)


Applying the Sine Rule:

\(\begin{aligned} \dfrac{LN}{\sin 55^\circ}&=\dfrac{7}{ \sin 40 ^\circ} \\\\ LN&= \dfrac{7}{ \sin 40 ^\circ} \times \sin 55^\circ \\\\ &= 8.92 \text{ cm}. \end{aligned}\)

 
Example \(2\)
Question

Given a triangle \(ABC\) such that \(AB=6.2\) cm, \(AC=4.8\) cm, and \(\angle{ABC}=43^\circ\).

Find the possible values of \(\angle{BCA}\).

Diagram of triangle ABC featuring two sides and an angle, with lengths AB=6.2 cm, AC=4.8 cm, and angle B=43°.

Solution

Apply the Sine Rule to find the possible angles of \(C\):

\(\begin{aligned} \dfrac{\sin C}{6.2}&=\dfrac{\sin 43^\circ}{ 4.8} .\\\\ \angle BC_1A&=\sin^{-1} \left( \dfrac{\sin 43^\circ}{4.8} \times 6.2 \right) \\\\ &=61.75 ^ \circ. \\\\ \angle BC_2A&= 180 ^\circ-61.75 ^ \circ \\\\ &=118.25 ^\circ. \end{aligned}\)