Photo AI

Last Updated Sep 27, 2025

Non-Right-Angled Triangles Simplified Revision Notes

Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand Non-Right-Angled Triangles quickly and effectively.

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

256+ students studying

5.1.3 Non-Right-Angled Triangles

When dealing with non-right-angled triangles, we can't directly use the simple trigonometric ratios like sine, cosine, and tangent that we apply in right-angled triangles. Instead, we rely on two powerful rules: the Sine Rule and the Cosine Rule, which allow us to solve problems involving any type of triangle.

1. The Sine Rule:

The Sine Rule is used to find unknown sides or angles in any triangle when we have either:

  • Two angles and one side (AAS or ASA),
  • Two sides and a non-included angle (SSA). The Sine Rule states that:
asinA=bsinB=csinC \frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} = \frac{c}{\sin C}

Or equivalently:

sinAa=sinBb=sinCc \frac{\sin A}{a} = \frac{\sin B}{b} = \frac{\sin C}{c}

Where:

  • aa , bb , and cc are the lengths of the sides opposite the angles  A, Band C\ A , \ B \, and \ C respectively.
infoNote

Example Using the Sine Rule:

Problem: In a triangle  ABC, A=45, B=60and a=7\ ABC , \ \angle A = 45^\circ , \ \angle B = 60^\circ \, and \ a = 7 cmcm. Find the length of side  b.\ b .

Solution:

  1. Find the third angle CC: C=1804560=75\angle C = 180^\circ - 45^\circ - 60^\circ = 75^\circ
  2. Apply the Sine Rule: asinA=bsinB\frac{a}{\sin A} = \frac{b}{\sin B} Substituting the known values: 7sin45=bsin60\frac{7}{\sin 45^\circ} = \frac{b}{\sin 60^\circ} Solving for bb: b=7×sin60sin45=7×3222=7×328.57 cmb = \frac{7 \times \sin 60^\circ}{\sin 45^\circ} = \frac{7 \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = 7 \times \frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 8.57 \text{ cm} Final Answer:
  •  b:highlight[8.57]\ b \approx :highlight[8.57] cmcm.

2. The Cosine Rule:

The Cosine Rule is used to find unknown sides or angles in any triangle, particularly when we have either:

  • Two sides and the included angle (SAS),
  • Three sides (SSS).
infoNote

The Cosine Rule states that: c2=a2+b22abcosCc^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cos C

Where:

  •  c\ c is the side opposite angle  C,\ C ,
  •  a and b\ a \ and \ b are the other two sides. To find an angle, the Cosine Rule can be rearranged as:

cosC=a2+b2c22ab\cos C = \frac{a^2 + b^2 - c^2}{2ab}

infoNote

Example Using the Cosine Rule:

Problem: In a triangle  ABC\ ABC , the sides  a=5\ a = 5 cmcm,  b=7\ b = 7 cmcm, and  c=10\ c = 10 cmcm. Find  C.\ \angle C .

Solution:

  1. Apply the Cosine Rule to find  C:\ \angle C : cosC=a2+b2c22ab\cos C = \frac{a^2 + b^2 - c^2}{2ab} Substituting the known values: cosC=52+721022×5×7\cos C = \frac{5^2 + 7^2 - 10^2}{2 \times 5 \times 7} cosC=25+4910070=26700.3714\cos C = \frac{25 + 49 - 100}{70} = \frac{-26}{70} \approx -0.3714
  2. Find  C\ \angle C using the inverse cosine function: C=cos1(0.3714)111.5\angle C = \cos^{-1}(-0.3714) \approx 111.5^\circ Final Answer:
  •  C:highlight[111.5].\ \angle C \approx :highlight[111.5^\circ] .

3. Area of a Non-Right-Angled Triangle:

infoNote

The area A \ A of a non-right-angled triangle can be calculated using the following formula, based on two sides and the included angle: Area=12absinC\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2}ab\sin C

Where:

  •  a and b\ a \ and \ b are the lengths of two sides,
  •  C\ C is the angle between them.
infoNote

Example for Area Calculation:

Problem: In a triangle ABC a=8 cm, b=6\ ABC \, \ a = 8 \ cm, \ b = 6 cmcm, and  C=30\ \angle C = 30^\circ . Find the area of the triangle.

Solution:

  1. Apply the area formula: Area=12×8×6×sin30\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 6 \times \sin 30^\circ Since sin30=12: \ \sin 30^\circ = \frac{1}{2} : Area=12×8×6×12=12×24=12 square cm\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 6 \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{2} \times 24 = 12 \text{ square cm} Final Answer:
  • The area of the triangle is  :highlight[12]\ :highlight[12] squaresquare cmcm.

Summary:

When working with non-right-angled triangles, the Sine Rule and Cosine Rule are essential tools for finding unknown sides and angles. Additionally, the area can be calculated using the sine of the included angle between two known sides. These techniques are versatile and applicable to a wide range of geometric problems.


Books

Only available for registered users.

Sign up now to view the full note, or log in if you already have an account!

500K+ Students Use These Powerful Tools to Master Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Enhance your understanding with flashcards, quizzes, and exams—designed to help you grasp key concepts, reinforce learning, and master any topic with confidence!

40 flashcards

Flashcards on Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Revise key concepts with interactive flashcards.

Try Maths Pure Flashcards

4 quizzes

Quizzes on Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Test your knowledge with fun and engaging quizzes.

Try Maths Pure Quizzes

29 questions

Exam questions on Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Boost your confidence with real exam questions.

Try Maths Pure Questions

27 exams created

Exam Builder on Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Create custom exams across topics for better practice!

Try Maths Pure exam builder

12 papers

Past Papers on Non-Right-Angled Triangles

Practice past papers to reinforce exam experience.

Try Maths Pure Past Papers

Other Revision Notes related to Non-Right-Angled Triangles you should explore

Discover More Revision Notes Related to Non-Right-Angled Triangles to Deepen Your Understanding and Improve Your Mastery

96%

114 rated

Basic Trigonometry

Trigonometry - Definitions

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

449+ studying

193KViews

96%

114 rated

Basic Trigonometry

Right-Angled Triangles

user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar
user avatar

480+ studying

190KViews
Load more notes

Join 500,000+ A-Level students using SimpleStudy...

Join Thousands of A-Level Students Using SimpleStudy to Learn Smarter, Stay Organized, and Boost Their Grades with Confidence!

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

500,000+

Students Supported

50 Million+

Questions answered