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Law of Cosines: Difference between revisions

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The '''Law of Cosines''' is a theorem which relates the side-[[length]]s and [[angle]]s of a [[triangle]]. It can be derived in several different ways, the most common of which are listed in the "proofs" section below. It can be used to derive the third side given two sides and the included angle. All triangles with two sides and an include angle are [[congruent]] by the Side-Angle-Side congruence postulate.
The '''Law of Cosines''' is a theorem which relates the side-[[length]]s and [[angle]]s of a [[triangle]]. It can be derived in several different wathe included angle. All triangles with two sides and an include angle are [[congruent]] by the Side-Angle-Side congruence postulate.


==Theorem==
==Theorem==
For a triangle with [[edge]]s of length <math>a</math>, <math>b</math> and <math>c</math> opposite [[angle]]s of measure <math>A</math>, <math>B</math> and <math>C</math>, respectively, the Law of Cosines states:
For a triangle with [[edge]]s of length <imath>a</imath>, <imath>b</imath> and <imath>c</imath> opposite [[angle]]s of measure <imath>A</imath>, <imath>B</imath> and <imath>C</imath>, respectively, the Law of Cosines states:


<cmath>c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos C</cmath>
<cmath>c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos C</cmath>
Line 10: Line 10:
<cmath>a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc\cos A</cmath>
<cmath>a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc\cos A</cmath>


In the case that one of the angles has measure <math>90^\circ</math> (is a [[right angle]]), the corresponding statement reduces to the [[Pythagorean Theorem]].
In the case that one of the angles has measure <imath>90^\circ</imath> (is a [[right angle]]), the corresponding statement reduces to the [[Pythagorean Theorem]].


==Proofs==
==Proofs==
Line 38: Line 38:




Let <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math> be the side lengths, <math>C</math> is the angle measure opposite side <math>c</math>, <math>f</math> is the distance from angle <math>C</math> to side <math>c</math>, and <math>d</math> and <math>e</math> are the lengths that <math>c</math> is split into by <math>f</math>.
Let <imath>a</imath>, <imath>b</imath>, and <imath>c</imath> be the side lengths, <imath>C</imath> is the angle measure opposite side <imath>c</imath>, <imath>f</imath> is the distance from angle <imath>C</imath> to side <imath>c</imath>, and <imath>d</imath> and <imath>e</imath> are the lengths that <imath>c</imath> is split into by <imath>f</imath>.


We use the Pythagorean theorem:
We use the Pythagorean theorem:
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<cmath>a^2+b^2-2f^2=d^2+e^2</cmath>
<cmath>a^2+b^2-2f^2=d^2+e^2</cmath>


We are trying to get <math>a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de</math> on the LHS, because then the RHS would be <math>c^2</math>.
We are trying to get <imath>a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de</imath> on the LHS, because then the RHS would be <imath>c^2</imath>.


We use the addition rule for cosines and get:
We use the addition rule for cosines and get:
Line 50: Line 50:
<cmath>\cos{C}=\dfrac{f}{a}\cdot \dfrac{f}{b}-\dfrac{d}{a}\cdot \dfrac{e}{b}=\dfrac{f^2-de}{ab}</cmath>
<cmath>\cos{C}=\dfrac{f}{a}\cdot \dfrac{f}{b}-\dfrac{d}{a}\cdot \dfrac{e}{b}=\dfrac{f^2-de}{ab}</cmath>


We multiply by <math>-2ab</math> and get:
We multiply by <imath>-2ab</imath> and get:


<cmath>2de-2f^2=-2ab\cos{C}</cmath>
<cmath>2de-2f^2=-2ab\cos{C}</cmath>
Line 58: Line 58:
<cmath>a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de=c^2</cmath>
<cmath>a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de=c^2</cmath>


We replace the <math>-2f^2+2de</math> by <math>-2ab\cos{C}</math> and get:
We replace the <imath>-2f^2+2de</imath> by <imath>-2ab\cos{C}</imath> and get:


<cmath>c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab\cos{C}</cmath>
<cmath>c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab\cos{C}</cmath>
Line 65: Line 65:


===Right Triangle===
===Right Triangle===
Since <math>C=90^{\circ}</math>, <math>\cos C=0</math>, so the expression reduces to the Pythagorean Theorem. You can find several proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem [[Pythagorean Theorem#Proofs|here]].
Since <imath>C=90^{\circ}</imath>, <imath>\cos C=0</imath>, so the expression reduces to the Pythagorean Theorem. You can find several proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem [[Pythagorean Theorem#Proofs|here]].


===Obtuse Triangle===
===Obtuse Triangle===
Line 71: Line 71:


==Proof 2 (Vector Dot Product)==
==Proof 2 (Vector Dot Product)==
Consider <math>\triangle{ABC}</math>. Let <math>\vec{AB}=\vec{c}, \vec{AC}=\vec{b},\vec{BC}=\vec{a}</math>.
Consider <imath>\triangle{ABC}</imath>. Let <imath>\vec{AB}=\vec{c}, \vec{AC}=\vec{b},\vec{BC}=\vec{a}</imath>.


Because of the identity <math>|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}</math>,we can complete our proof as the following.
Because of the identity <imath>|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}</imath>,we can complete our proof as the following.


Draw the diagram. Note that <math>\vec{c}+\vec{a}=\vec{b}</math>. Then <math>\vec{b}-\vec{c}=\vec{a}</math> and <math>\vec{a}\cdot \vec{a}=a^2</math>. <math>(\vec{b}-\vec{c})^2=b^2+c^2-2\cdot b\cdot c\cdot \cos{A}=|\vec{a}|^2</math>. Now, we have finished the proof because the two quantities are equal.
Draw the diagram. Note that <imath>\vec{c}+\vec{a}=\vec{b}</imath>. Then <imath>\vec{b}-\vec{c}=\vec{a}</imath> and <imath>\vec{a}\cdot \vec{a}=a^2</imath>. <imath>(\vec{b}-\vec{c})^2=b^2+c^2-2\cdot b\cdot c\cdot \cos{A}=|\vec{a}|^2</imath>. Now, we have finished the proof because the two quantities are equal.


Credits to China High School Math textbook <math>\emph{Mathematics Vol 5B Textbook}</math> by People's Education Press (this textbook is currently discontinued but it has been used for hinting the proof. The proof is done by myself. But the letting and the process of guiding students to verify the identity <math>|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}</math> is written in the textbook.
Credits to China High School Math textbook <imath>\emph{Mathematics Vol 5B Textbook}</imath> by People's Education Press (this textbook is currently discontinued but it has been used for hinting the proof. The proof is done by myself. But the letting and the process of guiding students to verify the identity <imath>|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}</imath> is written in the textbook.


~hastapasta
~hastapasta
Line 85: Line 85:
1. If the sides of a triangle have lengths 2, 3, and 4, what is the radius of the circle circumscribing the triangle?
1. If the sides of a triangle have lengths 2, 3, and 4, what is the radius of the circle circumscribing the triangle?


<center><math>
<center><imath>
\mathrm{(A) \ } 2
\mathrm{(A) \ } 2
\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 8/\sqrt{15}  
\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 8/\sqrt{15}  
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\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{6}
\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{6}
\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ }  (\sqrt{6} + 1)/2
\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ }  (\sqrt{6} + 1)/2
</math></center>
</imath></center>


([[University of South Carolina High School Math Contest/1993 Exam/Problem 29|Source]])
([[University of South Carolina High School Math Contest/1993 Exam/Problem 29|Source]])


2. In the quadrilateral <math>ABCD</math>, <math>\angle{ADC}=90^\circ</math>, <math>AB=2</math>, <math>BD=5</math>.
2. In the quadrilateral <imath>ABCD</imath>, <imath>\angle{ADC}=90^\circ</imath>, <imath>AB=2</imath>, <imath>BD=5</imath>.


(1) Find <math>\cos{\angle{ADB}}</math>.
(1) Find <imath>\cos{\angle{ADB}}</imath>.


(2) If <math>DC=2\sqrt{2}</math>, find <math>BC</math>.
(2) If <imath>DC=2\sqrt{2}</imath>, find <imath>BC</imath>.


(2018 China Gaokao Syllabus I #17)
(2018 China Gaokao Syllabus I #17)
Line 108: Line 108:
===Intermediate===
===Intermediate===


A tripod has three legs each of length <math>5</math> feet. When the tripod is set up, the [[angle]] between any pair of legs is equal to the angle between any other pair, and the top of the tripod is <math>4</math> feet from the ground. In setting up the tripod, the lower 1 foot of one leg breaks off. Let <math> h </math> be the height in feet of the top of the tripod from the ground when the broken tripod is set up. Then <math> h </math> can be written in the form <math> \frac m{\sqrt{n}}, </math> where <math> m </math> and <math> n </math> are positive integers and <math> n </math> is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <math> \lfloor m+\sqrt{n}\rfloor. </math> (The notation <math> \lfloor x\rfloor </math> denotes the greatest integer that is less than or equal to <math> x. </math>)
A tripod has three legs each of length <imath>5</imath> feet. When the tripod is set up, the [[angle]] between any pair of legs is equal to the angle between any other pair, and the top of the tripod is <imath>4</imath> feet from the ground. In setting up the tripod, the lower 1 foot of one leg breaks off. Let <imath> h </imath> be the height in feet of the top of the tripod from the ground when the broken tripod is set up. Then <imath> h </imath> can be written in the form <imath> \frac m{\sqrt{n}}, </imath> where <imath> m </imath> and <imath> n </imath> are positive integers and <imath> n </imath> is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <imath> \lfloor m+\sqrt{n}\rfloor. </imath> (The notation <imath> \lfloor x\rfloor </imath> denotes the greatest integer that is less than or equal to <imath> x. </imath>)


([[2006 AIME I Problems/Problem 14|Source]])
([[2006 AIME I Problems/Problem 14|Source]])
===Olympiad===
===Olympiad===
A tetrahedron <math>ABCD </math> is inscribed in the sphere <math>S </math>.  Find the locus of points <math>P </math>, situated in <math>S </math>, such that
A tetrahedron <imath>ABCD </imath> is inscribed in the sphere <imath>S </imath>.  Find the locus of points <imath>P </imath>, situated in <imath>S </imath>, such that


<center>
<center>
<math> \frac{AP}{PA_{1}} + \frac{BP}{PB_{1}} + \frac{CP}{PC_{1}} + \frac{DP}{PD_{1}} = 4, </math>
<imath> \frac{AP}{PA_{1}} + \frac{BP}{PB_{1}} + \frac{CP}{PC_{1}} + \frac{DP}{PD_{1}} = 4, </imath>
</center>
</center>


where <math>A_{1}, B_{1}, C_{1}, D_{1} </math> are the other intersection points of <math>AP, BP, CP, DP </math> with <math>S </math>.
where <imath>A_{1}, B_{1}, C_{1}, D_{1} </imath> are the other intersection points of <imath>AP, BP, CP, DP </imath> with <imath>S </imath>.


([[1973 IMO Shortlist Problems/Bulgaria 1|Source]])
([[1973 IMO Shortlist Problems/Bulgaria 1|Source]])

Revision as of 16:12, 9 November 2025

The Law of Cosines is a theorem which relates the side-lengths and angles of a triangle. It can be derived in several different wathe included angle. All triangles with two sides and an include angle are congruent by the Side-Angle-Side congruence postulate.

Theorem

For a triangle with edges of length $a$, $b$ and $c$ opposite angles of measure $A$, $B$ and $C$, respectively, the Law of Cosines states:

\[c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab\cos C\]

\[b^2 = a^2 + c^2 - 2ac\cos B\]

\[a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc\cos A\]

In the case that one of the angles has measure $90^\circ$ (is a right angle), the corresponding statement reduces to the Pythagorean Theorem.

Proofs

Proof 1

Acute Triangle

[asy] pair A,B,C,D,E; C=(30,70); B=(0,0); A=(100,0); D=(30,0); size(100); draw(B--A--C--B); draw(C--D); label("A",A,(1,0)); dot(A); label("B",B,(-1,-1)); dot(B); label("C",C,(0,1)); dot(C); draw(D--(30,4)--(34,4)--(34,0)--D); label("f",(30,35),(1,0)); label("d",(15,0),(0,-1)); label("e",(50,0),(0,-1.5)); [/asy]


Let $a$, $b$, and $c$ be the side lengths, $C$ is the angle measure opposite side $c$, $f$ is the distance from angle $C$ to side $c$, and $d$ and $e$ are the lengths that $c$ is split into by $f$.

We use the Pythagorean theorem:

\[a^2+b^2-2f^2=d^2+e^2\]

We are trying to get $a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de$ on the LHS, because then the RHS would be $c^2$.

We use the addition rule for cosines and get:

\[\cos{C}=\dfrac{f}{a}\cdot \dfrac{f}{b}-\dfrac{d}{a}\cdot \dfrac{e}{b}=\dfrac{f^2-de}{ab}\]

We multiply by $-2ab$ and get:

\[2de-2f^2=-2ab\cos{C}\]

Now remember our equation?

\[a^2+b^2-2f^2+2de=c^2\]

We replace the $-2f^2+2de$ by $-2ab\cos{C}$ and get:

\[c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab\cos{C}\]

We can use the same argument on the other sides.

Right Triangle

Since $C=90^{\circ}$, $\cos C=0$, so the expression reduces to the Pythagorean Theorem. You can find several proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem here.

Obtuse Triangle

The argument for an obtuse triangle is the same as the proof for an acute triangle.

Proof 2 (Vector Dot Product)

Consider $\triangle{ABC}$. Let $\vec{AB}=\vec{c}, \vec{AC}=\vec{b},\vec{BC}=\vec{a}$.

Because of the identity $|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}$,we can complete our proof as the following.

Draw the diagram. Note that $\vec{c}+\vec{a}=\vec{b}$. Then $\vec{b}-\vec{c}=\vec{a}$ and $\vec{a}\cdot \vec{a}=a^2$. $(\vec{b}-\vec{c})^2=b^2+c^2-2\cdot b\cdot c\cdot \cos{A}=|\vec{a}|^2$. Now, we have finished the proof because the two quantities are equal.

Credits to China High School Math textbook $\emph{Mathematics Vol 5B Textbook}$ by People's Education Press (this textbook is currently discontinued but it has been used for hinting the proof. The proof is done by myself. But the letting and the process of guiding students to verify the identity $|\vec{a}|^2=\vec{a}\cdot\vec{a}$ is written in the textbook.

~hastapasta

Problems

Introductory

1. If the sides of a triangle have lengths 2, 3, and 4, what is the radius of the circle circumscribing the triangle?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } 2 \qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 8/\sqrt{15} \qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 5/2 \qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } \sqrt{6} \qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } (\sqrt{6} + 1)/2$

(Source)

2. In the quadrilateral $ABCD$, $\angle{ADC}=90^\circ$, $AB=2$, $BD=5$.

(1) Find $\cos{\angle{ADB}}$.

(2) If $DC=2\sqrt{2}$, find $BC$.

(2018 China Gaokao Syllabus I #17)

Solution link: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c4h2812553_trig__triangle_laws_how_come P.S.: Since the solution is on a forum, please read all the way to thread #3 for the solutions!

Intermediate

A tripod has three legs each of length $5$ feet. When the tripod is set up, the angle between any pair of legs is equal to the angle between any other pair, and the top of the tripod is $4$ feet from the ground. In setting up the tripod, the lower 1 foot of one leg breaks off. Let $h$ be the height in feet of the top of the tripod from the ground when the broken tripod is set up. Then $h$ can be written in the form $\frac m{\sqrt{n}},$ where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $\lfloor m+\sqrt{n}\rfloor.$ (The notation $\lfloor x\rfloor$ denotes the greatest integer that is less than or equal to $x.$)

(Source)

Olympiad

A tetrahedron $ABCD$ is inscribed in the sphere $S$. Find the locus of points $P$, situated in $S$, such that

$\frac{AP}{PA_{1}} + \frac{BP}{PB_{1}} + \frac{CP}{PC_{1}} + \frac{DP}{PD_{1}} = 4,$

where $A_{1}, B_{1}, C_{1}, D_{1}$ are the other intersection points of $AP, BP, CP, DP$ with $S$.

(Source)

See Also

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