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Mathematics
Quarter 4 - Module 5.2
The Law of Cosines
and Its Applications

LEILANI P. BAUTISTA, Writer

Teacher III, Daniel Maramba National High School
Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

KAREN ANN C. CALAUAD, Writer

Head Teacher I, Ilog Malino National High School
Bolinao, Pangasinan
 What I Need to Know
This module was designed and prepared to help you
understand how to calculate angle measurements and corresponding side
lengths of oblique triangles. This will also guide you to explain the relationship
between sides and angles of non-right triangles when some sides and angles
remain constant.

The most essential learning competencies aligned in this module are:

1. The learner illustrates law of cosines.
(M9GE-IVf-g–1)
2. The learner solves problems involving oblique triangles.
(M9GE-IVh-j–1)
Specifically, the scope of this module is to develop your skills in applying
the Law of Cosines. While learning through this module, you are expected to:
1. derive the Law of Cosines;
2. solve oblique triangles using the Law of Cosines; and
3. solve application problems involving oblique triangles.

What I Know

Let us determine how much you already know about the Law of Cosines and
its applications. If you answer all the test items correctly in this pretest, then
you may skip studying this learning material.

Direction: Read and understand each statement, write the letter of your answer
on your answer sheet.

1. Which law would you use?

A) Law of Cosines
B) Law of Sines
C) Law of Tangent
D) Law of Cotangent

2. Which law would you use?

A) Law of Cosines
B) Law of Sines
C) Law of Tangent
D) Law of Cotangent

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3. Which law would you use?

A) Law of Cosines
B) Law of Sines
C) Law of Tangent
D) Law of Cotangent

4. Solve the triangle.

Given: a = 38, b = 31, c = 35. Find A, B and C.
A) A = 43°, B = 47°, C = 90° C) A = 50.1°, B = 70°, C = 59.9°
B) A = 70°, B = 50.1°, C = 59.9° D) A = 60°, B = 70°, C = 50°

5. A triangle has side lengths of 3, 8, and 9. Find the measure of the angle
across the side with length of 8.
A) 19° C) 61°
B) 53° D) 80°

6. What is the length of side x?

x
A) 105 cm
B) 112 cm 65 cm
C) 130 cm 101 cm 75°
D) 150 cm
A
7. Find angle A in ∆ABC.

A) 10°
B) 13.3° 7 8

C) 53.6°
D) 113.1° C B
2

8. A bridge is supported by triangular braces. If the sides of each brace have

lengths 63 feet, 46 feet, and 40 feet. Find the measure of the angle opposite the
46-ft side.
A) 106.7° C) 46.8°
B) 93.9° D) 39.3°

9. A lot is triangular in shape. Two of its sides are 500 meters and 700 meters.
The angle between these two sides is 100°. Find the length of the third side.
A) 928 m C) 858 m
B) 900 m D) 786 m

10. The side of a rhombus measures 200 cm. If one interior angle measures 80°,
how long is its diagonal?
A) 223 cm C) 250 cm
B) 241 cm D) 257 cm

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 Lesson
The Law of Cosines and Its
1 Applications

WHAT’S IN

Triangles are a fundamental geometrical shape. Triangles appear

within several disciplines, some of which are architecture, engineering,
astronomy and chemistry. This is why mathematicians have studied them and
consequently have several relations between sides and angles.

Just as the Law of Sines provided the appropriate equations to solve a

number of applications, the Law of Cosines is applicable to situations in which
the given data fits the cosine models.

Activity 1. Tell Me!

A. Identify whether the illustration shows an application of the Sine Law or
Cosine Law.

1. 4. 20˚

40 in
120˚
__________________
__________________

2.

5.

__________________

3. __________________

18 m 17
_________________
m
_
3
18 m
 What’s New

In this part of the module, you are about to learn how to illustrate an
oblique triangle.

Activity 2. Let’s Illustrate!

Direction: Follow the procedures and answer the question that follow.

Materials needed: paper, ruler, pen or pencil

1. Draw triangle ABC on the rectangular coordinate plane.

2. From A, draw its altitude and label as h.
3. Let CD = d, BC = a, then BD = a – d.
4. Solve for cos C.

b c
h

C d D a-d B
a

Were you able to complete the task? If yes, you may proceed to the next
page. If not, take time to finish in order for you to understand the lesson.

What Is It

How did you find the activity?

We shall now derive a second formula/law in solving non-right triangles
using the illustration you made in the previous activity.

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 A

b c
h

C d D a-d B
a
In triangle ACD,
b
cos C = or d = b cos C
d

Applying the Pythagorean theorem in the same triangle,

h2 + d2 = b2
h2 = b2 – d2
In triangle ABD, the Pythagorean theorem states that
h2 + (a – d)2 = c2 or
h2 + a2 – 2ad + d2 = c2
Substituting b2 – d2 to h2 gives
b2 – d2 + a2 – 2ad + d2 = c2 or
b2 + a2 – 2ad = c2
Substituting the expression b cos C to d yields
b2 + a2 – 2a(b cos C) = c2
Rearranging, we obtain the equation
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C
By constructing perpendicular lines from B to AC and C to AB, and
using the same procedure, the following equations will be obtained:
B

a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bc cos A
c a
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos B
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C
A b C

DEFINITION

The Cosine Law

The square of the length of one side is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other two sides minus the product of twice the two
sides and the cosine of the angle between them.

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 The Law of Cosines tells us that in a triangle, if two sides and the included
angles (SAS) are given, the third side can be found. By further applying the
cosine law, the second angle can subsequently be computed. To solve for the
measure of the three angles given the measures of the three sides, use the
following equations derived from the cosine law.

𝐛𝟐 + 𝐜 𝟐 − 𝐚𝟐
cos A =
𝟐𝐛𝐜
𝐚𝟐 + 𝐜 𝟐 − 𝐛𝟐
cos B =
𝟐𝐚𝐜
𝐚𝟐 + 𝐛𝟐 − 𝐜 𝟐
cos C =
𝟐𝐚𝐛

To find the values of A, B, or C, you can use a scientific calculator to

compute the inverse cosine. If two angles of a triangle are already known, the
third angle can easily be computed using the fact that the sum of the angles in
a triangle is 180˚ or
A + B + C = 180°.

Illustrative Examples:
1. Solve ∆ABC if a = 4, c = 7, and B = 120°. A

Solution:
b

b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos B c=7

b2 = 42 + 72 – 2(4)(7) cos 120° 120°

C B
a=4
b2 = 16 + 49 – 56 cos 120°
b2 = 93
b ≈ 9.64

a2 + b2 − c2 A = 180° - (B + C)
cos C =
2ab A = 180° - (120° + 39°)
42 + (9.64)2 − 72 A = 180° - 159°
cos C =
2(4)(9.64) A = 21°
cos C ≈ 0.7770954
C ≈ cos-1 (0.7770954)
C ≈ 39°

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 2. If in ∆LAN, l = 9, a = 12, and n = 5, find the measures of the three angles.

Solution:
a2 + n2 − l2
cos L =
2an L

a = 12
122 + 52 − 92 n=5
cos L =
2(12)(5)
A N
cos L ≈ 0.7333333 l=9

L ≈ cos-1 (0.7333333)
L ≈ 42.83˚ or 42˚50’

Solve ∆ABC if a = 4, c = 7, and B = 120 Solve ∆ABC if a = 4, c = 7, and B = 120

l2 + n2 − a2
cos A = N = 180˚ - (L + A)
2ln
N = 180˚ - (42˚50’ + 114˚58’30”)
N = 180˚ - 157˚48’30”
92 + 52 − 122 N = 22˚11’30”
cos A =
2(9)(5)

cos A ≈ -0.4222222
A ≈ cos-1 (-0.4222222)
A ≈ 114.97˚ or 114˚58’30”

3. An engineer plans to construct a tunnel from point A on one side of the

hill to point B on the other side. From a third point C, the distances
̅̅̅̅ = 600 meters and CB
CA ̅̅̅̅ = 800 meters are measured. If m∠ACB = 70˚, find
the length of the tunnel AB̅̅̅̅ when it is completed.

Solution:
C

̅̅̅̅ = c, BC
Let AB ̅̅̅̅ = a, and AC
̅̅̅̅ = b.

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C
c2 = 8002 + 6002 – 2(800)(600) cos 70˚ B c A
c2 = 640,000 + 360,000 – 960 (cos 70˚)
c2 ≈ √671,660.6624
c ≈ 819.55

Therefore, the length of the tunnel is approximately 819.55 meters.

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 4. Find the length of the diagonal of a parallelogram if the lengths of two
adjacent sides are 8 dm and 12 dm, and the measure of an angle is 100°.

Solution:

x2 = 82 + 122 – 2(8)(12) cos 100° x

8 dm
x2 = 64 + 144 – 192 (cos 100°)
100°
x2 ≈ √241.34
12 dm
x ≈ 15.54

The length of the diagonal is approximately 15.54 dm.

5. Kate, Lyn and Jhaness are camping in their tents. If the distance between
Kate and Lyn is 50 feet, the distance between Kate and Jhaness is 40 feet,
and the distance between Jhaness and Lyn is 60 feet, what is the measure
of the angle formed in Jhaness tent?
Kate
Solution:

602 + 402 − 502

cos X =
2(60)(40)

cos X ≈ 0.5625
X ≈ cos-1 (0.5625) X˚

X ≈ 55.77° or 55°46’16” 60 ft
Lyn Jhaness

The measure of the angle formed is approximately 55°46’16”.

What’s More

Now, it’s your turn to apply the concepts you learned about the Cosine
Law.

TEST YOURSELF!

A. Use the Law of Cosines to solve the triangle.

1. a = 18, b = 15, and c = 23
2. A = 110°, b = 13, and c = 20

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 B. Solve the problems.
1. A triangular playground has sides of lengths 500 feet, 550 feet and 550
feet. What are the measures of the angles between the sides?
(Let a = 500 ft, b = 550 ft, and c = 550 ft)

2. During a biking routine, Martha and Mary bike apart with an angle of
40° between them. Martha bikes for 25 meters and Mary bikes for 30
meters. How far apart are the bikers?

What I Have Learned

To summarize your understanding on the concepts learned on this

module, remember that the Law of Cosines can be used:

1. if the two sides and the included angle are given; and
2. if the three sides are given.

What I Can Do

A. Find the measure of the required part of ∆ABC.

1. Given B = 130°, a = 4, and c = 7, solve for side b.

2. Given A = 50°, b = 41, and c = 30, solve for side a.
3. Given a = 5, b = 7, and c = 11, solve for angle A.
4. Given a = 3, b = 4, c = 6, solve for angle B.
5. Given a = 286, b = 310, and c = 444, solve for angle C.

B. Solve the problems.

1. An aircraft tracking station determine

the distance from a common point X
to each aircraft and the angle between
the aircrafts. If angle X between the 72 km d
two aircrafts is equal to 49° and the
distances from point X to the two 49˚
X
aircrafts are 50 km and 72 km, 50 km
find the distance between the two
aircrafts.

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 2. A landscape architect is given a survey
of a parcel of land that is shaped like
a parallelogram. On the scale drawing,
the sides of the parcel of land are 8 inches x
and 10 inches and the angle between 10 in
these sides measure 105°. The architect
is planning to build a fence along the longer 105°
diagonal. If the scale on the survey is 8 in
1 inch = 120 feet, how long will the fence be?

3. A circle has a radius of 20 units. Find 20

the angle formed opposite the chord X˚ 28
with length 28 units.
20

4. Find the distance across the lake from

point A to C, to the nearest meter,
A C
using the measurements shown
in the figure.
140 m 160 m
80˚

5. Dave has three sticks measuring 2 ft, 3 ft,

and 4 ft. He lays them down to form a 2 ft X˚ 3 ft
triangle. Find the measure of the angle
formed by the 2-feet and 3-feet sides
to the nearest degree.

4 ft

Assessment
Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet. If your
answer is not found among the choices, write the correct answer.

1. It is used to find the remaining parts of an oblique (non-right) triangle when

either the lengths of two sides and the measure of the included angle is
known (SAS) or the lengths of the three sides (SSS) are known.

A) Law of Cosines C) Law of Tangent

B) Law of Sines D) Law of Cotangent
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2. Find all the angles of a triangle if a = 32, b = 38, and c = 46?
A) A = 43.5°, B = 54.8°, C = 81.7° C) A = 54.3°, B = 45.8°, C =71°
B) A = 45.3°, B = 54.8°, C = 81.7° D) A = 55.3°, B = 58.4°, C = 81.7°

3. Find angle A if B =19°, a = 51, and c = 61?

A) 21° C) 52.4°
B) 51° D) 108.6°

4. Find side a given A = 40°, b = 200, and c = 300.

A) 159.4 C) 195.1
B) 194.6 D) 196

5. Find angle A given a = 14, b = 15, and c = 18?

A) 48.9° C) 49.5°
B) 49.2° D) 50°

6. Which of the following formulas shows the Law of Cosines?

A) c2 = a2 + b2 - 4ac + cosA C) c2 = a2 - b2 - 2abcosC
B) c2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab cosC D) (cos A)/a = (cos B)/b

7. Find angle B given a = 20, b = 21, and c = 18.

A) 52° C) 61.1°
B) 60.1° D) 66.9°

8. Use the Law of Cosines to find XZ.

A) 34.7 meters
B) 36.4 meters
C) 44.2 meters
D) 204.1 meters

9. Given a = 8, b = 19, and c = 14. Find the measures of the angles.

A) A = 12.08°, B =116.80°, C = 41.12°

B) A = 22.08°, B =116.80°, C = 41.12°
C) A = 32.08°, B =116.80°, C = 41.12°
D) A = 42.08°, B =116.80°, C = 41.12°

10. A triangular parcel of land has sides 50 ft, 40 ft, and 35 ft. What is the
measure of the angle formed by the 50-ft and 40-ft sides?
A) 83° C) 52°
B) 79° D) 44°

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 Additional Activities

After learning the Law of Cosines and doing the different activities, you
can now apply these concepts in solving problem situations in real life. Through
the given activities, you will have opportunities to develop your critical thinking
skills which play a vital role in solving problems you encounter in the real world.

Using the Law of Cosines, solve the communication problem below.

On many cellphones with GPS, an approximate location can be given

before the GPS signal is received. This is accomplished through a process called
triangulation, which works by using the distances from two known points.
Suppose there are two cell phone towers within range of a cell phone. The two
towers are located 4500 feet apart along a straight highway, running east to
west, and the cellphone is south of the highway. Based on the signal delay, it
can be determined that the signal is 3000 feet from the first tower and 2000 feet
from the second tower.

1. Determine the position of the cellphone east of the first tower.

(Note: Represented by x)

2. Determine how far is the cellphone from the highway.

(Note: Represented by y)

4500 ft
x
𝜽
y
3000 ft 2000 ft

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References:
Abramson, Jay. (2020, January 25). Non-right Triangles-Law of Cosines.
Retrieved from: https://www.math.libretextx.org.
Bernabe, Julieta G. (2014). Our World of Math 9. Quezon City, Vibal Group Inc.
Catolos, Elvira C., et.al. Plane and Spherical Trigonometry. Malabon City:
Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Deauna, Melecio C., et.al. Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, and Statistics.
Quezon City: SIBS Publishing House, Inc.
Mathematics 9 Learner’s Material, Department of Education.
Oronce, Orlando A. and Mendoza, Marilyn O. Exploring Mathematics IV
Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry. Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
Rees, Paul K. and Rees, Dorothy. Trigonometry. Second Edition. New Jersey,
USA: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Velasco, Reymark. (2016, February 9). The Law of Cosines-Demo. Retrieved
from: slideshare.net
https://www.npsd.k12nj.us
https://www.analyzemath.com
https://www.engageny.org
https://www.mathisfun.com
https://www.mathguide.com
https://quizizz.com. (2016). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from Quizziz:
https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/573f39831058b30f4b781fa3/laws-of-
sine-and-cosine
Varsity Tutors. (2021). Varsity Tutors. Retrieved April 4, 2021, from
https://www.varsitytutors.com:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/law-of-
cosines

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 14
What I Know
1. A 5. C 8. C
2. A 6. A 9. A
3. A 7. B 10. D
4. B
What’s In
Activity 1:
1. Sine Law 3. Cosine Law 5. Sine Law
2. Cosine Law 4. Sine Law
What’s New
Activity 2:
Cos C = b/d
What’s More
Test Yourself
A.
1. A = 51.45° or 51° 27’2” B = 40.67° or 40° 40’19” C = 87.88° or 87° 52’39”
2. a = 27.33 B = 26.55° or 26° 33’ C = 43.45° or 43° 27’
B.
1. A = 54° B = 63 ° C = 63 °
2. The bikers are approximately 19.39 meters apart.
What I Can Do
`A.
1. b = 10
2. a = 31.62
3. A = 19.69° or 19° 41’24”
4. B = 36.34° or 36° 20’24”
5. C = 96.23° or 96° 13’48”
B.
1. The distance between the two aircrafts is approximately 54.41 km.
2. x = 14.33
Since, 1 in = 120 ft, 14.33(120 ft) = 1719.6 ft
The length of the fence is approximately 1719.6 ft.
3. The measure of the angle formed is 88.85° or 88° 51’.
4. The distance between point A and C is approximately 193 meters.
5. The measure of the angle formed is 104°.
Assessment
1. A 5. B 8. A
2. A 6. B 9. B
3. C 7. D 10. D
4. C
Additional Activities
1. 𝜃 = 20.74° x = 2805.6 ft
The position of the cellphone east of the first tower is approximately 2805.6 ft.
2. y = 1062.4 ft
The cellphone is approximately 1062.4 ft away from the highway.
Key Answers