MATHEMATI CS 159

Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
19
RELATIONS BETWEEN SIDES AND
ANGLES OF A TRIANGLE
In an earlier lesson, we have learnt about trigonometric functions of real numbers, relations
between them, drawn the graphs of trigonometric functions, studied the characteristics from
their graphs, studied about trigonometric functions of sum and difference of real numbers, and
deduced trigonometric functions of multiple and sub-multiples of real numbers. We also studied
about inverse trigonometric functions, some of their properties and solved problems based on
their concepts.
In this lesson, we shall try to establish some results which will give the relationship between sides
and angles of a triangle and will help in finding unknown parts of a triangle.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
l derive sine formula, cosine formula and projection formula
l apply these formulae to solve problems.
EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
l Trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions.
l Formulae for sum and difference of trigonometric functions of real numbers.
l Trigonometric functions of multiples and sub-multiples of real numbers.
19.1 SINE FORMULA
In a ABC, the angles corresponding to the vertices A, B, and C are denoted by A, B, and C
and the sides opposite to these vertices are denoted by a, b and c respectively. These angles
and sides are called six elements of the triangle.
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
160
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Result 1 : Prove that in any triangle, the lengths of the sides are proportional to the sines of the
angles opposite to the sides,
i.e.
a b c
sinA sinB si nC

Proof : In ABC, in Fig. 19.1 [(i), (ii) and (iii)], BC = a, CA = b and AB = c and C is acute
angle in (i), right angle in (ii) and obtuse angle in (iii).

(i) (ii) (iii)
Fig. 19.1
Draw AD prependicular to BC (or BC produced, if need be)
In ABC,
AD
si nB
AB

or
AD
si nB
c

AD = c sin B .....(i)
In ADC,
AD
sinC
AC
in Fig 19.1 (i)
or,
AD
sinC
b

AD = b sin C ....(ii)
If Fig. 19.1 (ii), or
AD
1 sin sinC
AC 2

AD = b sin C
and in Fig. 19.1 (iii), ( )
AD
sin C sinC
AC

or
AD
sinC
b

or AD = b sin C
Thus, in all three figures, AD = b sin C
From (i) and (ii), we get
c sin B = b sin C

b c
sinB sinC

....(iii)
MATHEMATI CS 161
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Similarly, by drawing prependicular from C on AB, we can prove that
a b
sinA sinB

.....(iv)
From (iii) and (iv), we get
a b c
sinA sinB si nC

.....(A)
(A) is called the sine-formula
Note : (A) is sometimes written as
sinA sinB si nC
a b c

....(A')
The relations (A) and (A') help us in finding unknown angles and sides, when some others are
given.
Let us take some examples :
Example 19.1 Prove that ( )
B C A
acos b c sin
2 2

+
, using sine-formula.
Solution : R.H.S. ( )
A
b c sin
2
+
We know that,
a b c
k
sinA sinB si nC

(say)
a = k sin A, b = k sin B, c = k sin C
R.H.S. ( )
A
k sinB sinC sin
2
+

B C B C A
k 2 sin cos sin
2 2 2
+

Now
B C A
90
2 2
+

( ) A B C + + Q

B C A
sin cos
2 2
+

R.H.S.
A B C A
2 k cos cos sin
2 2 2

B C
k sinA cos
2

=
B C
a cos L.H.S
2

MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
162
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Example 19.2 Using sine formula, prove that
( ) ( )
2
A
a cosC cosB 2 b c cos
2

Solution : We have

a b c
k
sinA sinB si nC

(say)
a = k sin A, b = k sin B, c = k sin C
R.H.S ( )
2
A
2k sinB sinC cos
2

2
B C B C A
2k 2cos sin cos
2 2 2
+

2
A B C A B C A
4ksin sin cos 2asin cos
2 2 2 2 2


B C B C
2asin sin
2 2
+

( )
a cosC cosB
= L.H.S.
Example 19.3 In any triangle ABC, show that
( ) asinA bsinB csin A B
Solution : We have
a b c
k
sinA sinB si nC

(say)
L.H.S. = ksinA sinA ksinB si nB
2 2
k sin A sin B
1

]
( ) ( ) ksin A B sin A B +

A B C + ( ) sin A B si nC +
L.H.S. ( ) ksinC sin A B
( ) csin A B R.H.S.
Example 19.4 In any triangle, show that
( )
2 2
a b cosC ccosB b c
Solution : We have,
a b c
k
sinA sinB si nC
(say)
MATHEMATI CS 163
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
L.H.S. = ( ) k sinA k sinBcosC k sinCcosB
( )
2
k sinA sin B C 1
]
( ) ( )
2
k sin B C sin B C + ( )
sin A sin B C + 1
]
Q
( )
2 2 2
k sin B sin C
2 2 2 2
k sin B k sin C
2 2
b c R.H.S
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 19.1
1. Using sine-formula, show that each of the following hold :
(i)
A B
tan
a b
2
A B
a b
tan
2

+
+
(ii) ( ) bcosB ccosC acos
B C
+

(iii)
( )
B C A
asin cos
b c
2 2

(iv)
b c B C B C
tan cot
b c 2 2
+ +

(v) acosA bcosB ccosC 2asi nBsi nC + +

2. In any triangle if
a b
cosA cosB

, prove that the tiangle is isosceles.

19.2 COSINE FORMULA
Result 2 : In any triangle, prove that
(i)
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+
(ii)
2 2 2
c a b
cosB
2ac
+
(iii)
2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

Proof :

(i) (ii) (iii)
Fig. 19.2
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
164
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Three cases arise :
(i) When
C
is acute (ii) When
C
is a right angle
(iii) When
C
is obtuse
Let us consider these one by one :
Case (i) When
C
is acute
AD
sinC
AC

AD b sin C
Also
BD BC DC a bcosC
DC
cosC
b
1

1
]
Q
From Fig. 19.2 (i)

( ) ( )
2 2 2
c
bsinC a bcosC
+

2 2 2 2 2
b sin C a b cos C 2abcosC + +
2 2
a b 2abcosC +

2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

Case (ii) When

C
= 90

2 2 2 2 2
c AD BD b a + +
As C = 90 cos C = 0

2 2 2
c b a 2ab cosC +

2 2 2
b a c
cosC
2ab
+

Case (iii) When

C
is obtuse

( )
AD
sin sinC
180 C
AC



AD bsinC
Also, ( ) BD BC CD a bcos
180 C
+ +

a bcosC

( ) ( )
2 2 2
c bsi nC a b cosC +

2 2
a b 2ab cosC +

2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

MATHEMATI CS 165
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
In all the three cases,
2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

Similarly, it can be proved that

2 2 2
c a b
cosB
2ac
+
and
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+

Let us take some examples to show its application.

Example 19.5 In any triangle ABC, show that
2 2 2
cosA cosB cosC a b c
a b c 2abc
+ +
+ +
Solution : We know that

2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+
,
2 2 2
c a b
cosB
2ac
+
,
2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

L.H.S.
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
b c a c a b a b c
2abc 2abc 2abc
+ + +
+ +

[ ]
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1
b c a c a b a b c
2abc

+ + + + +

2 2 2
a b c
R.H.S.
2abc
+ +

Example 19.6 If A 60 , show that in ABC
(a b c)(b c a) 3bc + + +
Solution :
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+
.....(i)
A = 60
1
cosA cos60
2

(i) becomes
2 2 2
1 b c a
2 2bc
+

2 2 2
b c a bc +
or
2 2 2
b c 2bc a 3bc + +
or
( )
2 2
a 3bc
b c

+
or ( ) ( ) 3bc
b c a b c a

+ + +
.
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
166
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Example 19.7 If the sides of a triangle are 3 cm, 5 cm and 7 cm find the greatest angle of a
triangle.
Solution : Here a = 3 cm, b = 5 cm, c = 7 cm
We know that in a triangle, the angle opposite to the largest side is greatest
C
is the greatest angle.

2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

9 25 49 15 1
30 30 2
+

1
cosC
2

2
C
3

The greatest angle of the triangle is

2
3

or 120.
Example 19.8 In ABC, if
A 60
, prove that
b c
1
c a a b
+
+ +
.
Solution :
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+

or
2 2 2
1 b c a
cos60
2 2bc
+

2 2 2
b c a bc +
or
2 2 2
b c a bc + +
.....(i)

( ) ( )
2 2
b c ab b c ac
R.H.S.
c a a b
c a a b
+ + +
+
+ +
+ +

( ) ( )
2
ab ac a bc
c a a b
+ + +

+ +
[Using (i)]

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
a c
a b a b
a c a b
+
+ +

+ +

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
a c a b
1
a c a b
+ +

+ +
MATHEMATI CS 167
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 19.2
1. In any triangle ABC, show that
(i)
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
b c c a a b
si n2A s i n2B sin2C 0
a b c

+ +
(ii) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
tanB tanC t anA
a b c b c a c a b

+ + +
(iii) ( )
2 2 2
k a b c
sin2A sin2B sin2C
2 2abc
+ +

+ +
where
a b c
k
sinA sinB si nC

(iv) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2 2 2
cotA cot B cotC 0
b c c a a b
+ +

2. The sides of a triangle are a = 9 cm, b = 8 cm, c = 4 cm. Show that
6 cos C = 4 + 3 cos B.
19.3 PROJECTION FORMULA
Result 3 : In ABC, if BC = a, CA = b and AB = c, then prove that
(i) a b cosC c c os B + (ii) b ccos A a c os C + (iii) c acos B bc os A +
Proof :

(i) (ii) (iii)
Fig. 19.3
As in previous result, three cases arise. We will discuss them one by one.
(i) When C is acute :
In ADB ,
BD
cosB
c

BD ccosB
In ADC ,
DC
cosC
b

DC = b cos C
a = BD + DC = c cos B + b cos C
a = c cos B + b cos c
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
168
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
(ii) When
C 90

BC
a BC AB cosB c
AB

ccosB 0 +
ccosB b cos90 + ( ) cos90 0 Q
ccosB b cosC +
(iii) When C is obtuse
In ADB ,
BD
cosB
c

BD = c cos B
In ADC ,
( )
CD
cos cosC
C
b

CD bcosC
In Fig.19.3 (iii),

BC BD CD
( ) a ccosB bcosC
ccosB b cosC +
Thus in all cases,
a bcosC ccosB +
Similarly, we can prove that
b ccosA acosC + and c acosB bcosA +
Let us take some examples, to show the application of these results.
Example 19.9 In any triangle ABC, show that
( ) ( ) ( ) cosA cosB cosC a b c
b c c a a b
+ + + +
+ + +
Solution : L.H.S. bcosA ccosA ccosB acosB acosC b cosC + + + + +
( ) b cosA acos B + ( ) ccosA a cosC + + ( ) ccosB b cosC + +

c b a + +

a b c R.H.S. + +
Example 19.10 In any ABC , prove that
2 2 2 2
cos2A cos2B 1 1
a b a b

Solution : L.H.S.
2 2
2 2
1 2sin A 1 2sin B
a b



2 2
2 2 2 2
1 2sin A 1 2sin B
a a b b
+

2 2
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
2k 2k
a b a b
+
sinA sinB
k
a b
_


,
= R. H. S.
MATHEMATI CS 169
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
Example 19.11 In ABC , if acosA bcosB , where
a b
prove that ABC is a
right angled triangle.
Solution : acosA bcosB

2 2 2 2 2 2
b c a a c b
a b
2bc 2ac
1 1
+ +

1 1
] ]
or
( ) ( )
2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
a b
b c a a c b

+ +
or
2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 4
a b a c a a b b c b + +
or ( ) ( )( )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
c a b a b a b +

2 2 2
c a b +
ABC is a right triangle.
Example 19.12 If a = 2, b = 3, c = 4, find cos A, cos B and cos C.
Solution :
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+

9 16 4 21 7
2 3 4 24 8
+


2 2 2
c a b 16 4 9 11
cosB
2ac 2 4 2 16
+ +


and
2 2 2
a b c 4 9 16 3 1
cosC
2ab 2 2 3 12 4
+ +


CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 19.3
1. If a = 3, b = 4 and c = 5, find cos A, cos B and cos C.
2. The sides of a triangle are 7 cm, 4 3 cm and 13cm . Find the smallest angle of the
triangle.
3. If a : b : c = 7 : 8 : 9, prove that
cos A : cos B : cos C = 14 : 11 : 6.
4. If the sides of a triangle are
2
x x 1 + + , 2x 1 + and
2
x 1 . Show that the greatest angle
of the triangle is 120.
5. In a triangle, b cos A = a cos B, prove that the triangle is isosceles.
6. Deduce sine formula from the projection formula.
MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
170
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
It is possible to find out the unknown elements of a triangle, if the relevent elements are given by
using
Sine-formula :
(i)
a b c
sinA sinB si nC

Cosine foumulae :
(ii)
2 2 2
b c a
cosA
2bc
+

2 2 2
c a b
cosB
2ac
+

2 2 2
a b c
cosC
2ab
+

Projection formulae :
a bcosC ccos B +
b ccosA acosC +
c acosB bcosA +
l http://www.wikipedia.org
l http://mathworld.wolfram.com


TERMINAL EXERCISE
In a triangle ABC, prove the following (1-10) :
1. ( ) ( ) ( )
a sin B C bsin C A csin A B 0 + +
2. acos A bcosB ccosC 2asinBsinC + +
3.
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
b c c a a b
sin2A sin2B sin2C 0
a b c

+ +
LET US SUM UP
SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES
MATHEMATI CS 171
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
4.
( )
( )
2 2
2 2
c a 1 cosBcos C A
1 cosAcos B C
b c
+ +

+
+
5.
c bcosA cosB
b ccosA cosC

6.
a bcosC s i nC
c bcosA sin A

7.
( )
A B C
a b c tan tan 2c cot
2 2 2
1
+ + +
1
]
8.
A B a b C
sin cos
2 c 2

9. (i) ( )
bcosB ccosC acos B C +
(ii) ( )
acosA bcosB ccos A B +
10.
( ) ( )
2 2
2 2 2
B B
b c a cos c a sin
2 2
+ +
11. In a triangle, if b = 5, c = 6,
A 1
tan
2 2
, then show that a 41 .
12. In any ABC , show that
cosA b acosC
cosB a b cosC

MATHEMATI CS
Notes
MODULE - IV
Functions
172
Relations Between Sides and Angles of a Triangle
ANSWERS
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 19.3
1.
4
cosA
5

3
cosB
5

cosC zero
2. The smallest angle of the triangle is 30.