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Trigonometric functions Solving equations Rearranging equations Rounding decimals Significant figures Exact trig valuesThis topic is relevant for:
Here we will learn about the sine rule including how to use the sine rule to find missing sides and angles in triangles.
There are also sine rule worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if youβre still stuck.
The sine rule (or the law of sines) is a relationship between the size of an angle in a triangle and the opposing side.
We can use the sine rule to work out a missing angle or side in a triangle when we have information about an angle and the side opposite it, and another angle and the side opposite it.
This is the sine rule:
Even though there are three relationships in a triangle between the three angles and their opposite sides, we only need to use two of them for the sine rule.
It would look something like this:
We can use the sine rule to find missing sides and angles when we have information about a pair of angles and their opposite sides.
1 Label each angle
Capital letters
The opposite angle is the same letter as the opposite side.
It does not matter which sides are
2 State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Now that we know which sides and angles we have, we need to substitute this information into the sine rule. We can then solve this equation to find the missing side or angle.
As these are calculated slightly differently, we can rearrange the sine rule to suit the part of the triangle we are trying to find. Here are the two versions.
To find a missing angle:
\frac{\sin (A)}{a}=\frac{\sin (B)}{b}
To find a missing side:
\frac{a}{\sin (A)}=\frac{b}{\sin (B)}
One equation is a rearrangement of the other.
Top tips:
When we are finding a missing angle, we put the angles on top
When we are finding a missing side, we put the sides on top
3 Solve the equation.
Once everything is substituted into the sine rule we can solve the equation to calculate the unknown side or angle.
In order to find a missing side of a triangle using the sine rule:
Get your free sine rule worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
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DOWNLOAD FREECalculate the length
2 State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Here we know side
3 Solve the equation.
Here, the length
Calculate the length
Label each angle
State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Here we know side
Solve the equation.
Here, the length
Calculate the length
Label each angle
State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Here we know side
Solve the equation.
Here, the length
Calculate the size of the missing angle
Label each angle
State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation
Here we know the angle at
Solve the equation.
Here, the angle
Calculate the size of the missing angle
Label each angle
State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Here we know the angle at
Solve the equation.
Here, the length
Calculate the size of the missing angle
Label each angle
State the sine rule then substitute the given values into the equation.
Here we know the angle at
Solve the equation.
Here, the length
This can cause a follow through error when substituting values into the equation. For example, this triangle has been incorrectly labelled with the side next to the angle.
This will have an impact on the formula for the sine rule as it will look like this, and not the correct way in example 5.
When finding a side, use the sine function. When finding a missing angle, you need to use the inverse sine function.
In order to use the sine rule we need to have sides and angles that are opposite each other. If we are finding a missing side then we need to know two angles and one of the sides opposite, we can use this information to find the side that is opposite the other angle.
This can lose accuracy marks. Always use as many decimal places as possible throughout the calculation, then round your solution.
It should not be too difficult to rearrange the formula once you have substituted the values, however small errors will make an impact on your solution.
For example, when calculating the value for a in example 2, the following calculation error is made.
This is incorrect because sine is a function so we cannot do this.
Due to the nature of the sine function, there can be multiple solutions to a question.
Take for example
A calculator is programmed to return the first value for the angle but you should be aware that another solution can exist for an obtuse angle.
To check if the calculator has returned the solution you need, there are 3 simple checks that can be done.
Sine rule is part of our series of lessons to support revision on trigonometry. You may find it helpful to start with the main trigonometry lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:
1. Calculate the length BC. Write your answer to two decimal places.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{a}{\sin(A)}=\frac{c}{\sin(C)}\\\\ \frac{a}{\sin(48)}=\frac{5.5}{\sin(42)}\\\\ a=\frac{5.5}{\sin(42)} \times \sin(48)\\\\ a=6.11 \mathrm{~cm} \end{array}
2. Calculate the length PQ . Write your answer to two decimal places.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{b}{\sin(B)}=\frac{c}{\sin(C)}\\\\ \frac{55}{\sin(32)}=\frac{c}{\sin(58)}\\\\ a=\frac{55}{\sin(32)} \times \sin(58)\\\\ a=88.02 \mathrm{~mm} \end{array}
3. Β Calculate the length XY . Write your answer to two decimal places.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{a}{\sin(A)}=\frac{c}{\sin(C)}\\\\ \frac{6.6}{\sin(60)}=\frac{c}{\sin(53)}\\\\ a=\frac{6.6}{\sin(60)} \times \sin(53)\\\\ a=6.09\mathrm{~cm} \end{array}
4. Calculate the size of angle \theta . Write your answer to two significant figures.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{\sin(B)}{b}=\frac{\sin(C)}{c}\\\\ \frac{\sin (\theta)}{7.4}=\frac{\sin (68)}{7.3}\\\\ \sin (\theta)=\frac{\sin (68)}{7.3}\times7.4\\\\ \sin (\theta)=0.9398850033…\\\\ \theta=\sin^{-1}(0.9398850033)\\\\ \theta=70^{\circ}\quad(2 s.f.) \end{array}
5. Use trigonometry to calculate the size of angle \theta . Write your answer to two decimal places.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{\sin(A)}{a}=\frac{\sin(C)}{c}\\\\ \frac{\sin (62)}{8.2}=\frac{\sin (\theta)}{4.3}\\\\ \sin (\theta)=\frac{\sin (62)}{8.2}\times4.3\\\\ \sin (\theta)=0.4630091036…\\\\ \theta=\sin^{-1}(0.4630091036)\\\\ \theta=27.58^{\circ}\quad(2 d.p.) \end{array}
6. Calculate the size of angle \theta . Write your answer to three significant figures.
\begin{array}{l} \frac{\sin(A)}{a}=\frac{\sin(B)}{b}\\\\ \frac{\sin (\theta)}{10}=\frac{\sin (36)}{6.5}\\\\ \sin (\theta)=\frac{\sin (36)}{6.5}\times10\\\\ \sin (\theta)=0.9042850035…\\\\ \theta=\sin ^{-1}(0.9042850035)\\\\ \theta=64.72^{\circ}\quad(3s.f.) \end{array}
1.Β In triangle ABC, AC = 8.5cm, BC = 23cm and angle BAC = 80^{\circ}.
Calculate the size of the angle marked x.
Give your answer to 1 d.p.
(3 marks)
(1)
\begin{aligned} \sin(x)&=\frac{\sin(80)}{23} \times 8.5\\\\ \sin(x)&=0.364β¦ \end{aligned}
(1)
\begin{aligned} x&=\sin^{-1}(0.364β¦)\\\\ x&=21.3^{\circ} \end{aligned}
(1)
2.Β Work out the size of angle BCD.
(5 marks)
(1)
\begin{aligned} BD&=\frac{14}{\sin(51)} \times \sin(77)\\\\ BD&= 17.553\mathrm{cm} \end{aligned}
(1)
\frac{sin(\theta)}{17.55}=\frac{sin(82)}{30}
(1)
\begin{aligned} \sin(\theta)&=\frac{sin(82)}{30} \times 17.55\\\\ sin(\theta)&=0.579β¦ \end{aligned}
(1)
\begin{aligned} \theta&=sin^{-1}(0.579β¦)\\\\ \theta&=35.4^{\circ} \end{aligned}
(1)
3.Β Calculate the length AB.
Give your answer to 1 d.p.
(4 marks)
(1)
\frac{AB}{\sin(92)}=\frac{17}{\sin(46)}
(1)
AB=\frac{17}{\sin(46)} \times \sin(92)
(1)
AB=23.6cm
(1)
You have now learned how to:
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