How do you use the Pythagorean Theorem, trigonometry functions, the Law of Sines, and the Law of Cosines to solve various triangles?

1 Answer
Apr 30, 2018

To use Pythagoras you must have a right angle triangle and know two of the sides. You use it to find the missing side.

To use the trig ratios {SOHCAHTOA} again you must have a right angled triangle and you use two sides to find an angle or an angle and a side to find the second side.

To use the Sine rule, in non right angled triangles you can find a missing side if you have a side and its corresponding angle plus the angle for the side you are finding. You can find an angle if you have its corresponding side plus another side with its corresponding angle.

to use the cosine rule again in non right angled triangles given two sides and the included angle you can find the third side. Or given all three sides you can find an angle.