COSINE LAW WORD PROBLEMS

The cosine law can be used which is not a right triangle.

cosine-law

a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos A

b2 = c2 + a2 - 2ac cos B

c2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab cos C

cos A = b2+c2-a22bccos B = a2+c2-b22accos C = a2+b2-c22ab

Problem 1 :

Calculate the perimeter of triangle ABC.

law-of-cos-word-problems-q1

Solution:

By using cosine rule,

a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos(A)

a2 = 82 + 92 - 2(8)(9) cos(30°)

a2 = 64 + 81 - 72(√3)

a2 = 145 - 124.7

a2 = 20.29

a = √20.29

a = 4.5 cm

Perimeter = a + b + c

= 4.5 + 8 + 9

= 21.5 cm

So, the perimeter of triangle ABC is 21.5 cm.

Problem 2 :

Boat A is 16 km from a lighthouse on a bearing of 055°. Boat B is 11 km from the same lighthouse on a bearing of 152°. Calculate the distance between the two boats.

law-of-cos-word-problems-q2.png

Solution:

∠BLA = 152° - 55°

= 87°

By using cosine law,

AB2 = LA2 + LB2 - 2(LA)(LB) Cos ∠BLA

= 162 + 112 - 2(16)(11) Cos (87°)

= 256 + 121 - 352(0.052)

= 377 - 18.42

AB2 = 358.58

AB = √358.58

= 18.94 km

So, the distance between the two boat is 18.94 km.

Problem 3 :

Shown is sector OAB.

O is the centre of the circle with radius 9 cm.

A and B are points on the circle.

The length of the chord AB is 10.35 cm.

Find the area of sector OAB.

law-of-cos-word-problems-q3.png

Solution:

Given, OA = 9 cm, OB = 9 cm and AB = 10.35 cm

By using cosine law,

cos A=b2+c2-a22bccos 𝜃=92+(10.35)2-922(9)(10.35)=81+107.12-81186.3cos 𝜃=0.574𝜃=cos-1(0.574)𝜃=54.9°Area of sector OAB=𝜃360°×𝜋r2=54.9°360°×3.14×92=38.78 cm2

Problem 4 :

A hot air balloon is flying above two point, standing on the ground at points A and B, 600m apart.

The hot air balloon is 300 m from A and 500 m from B.

(a) Work out the angle of elevation from point B.

(b) How high is the hot air balloon from the ground?

law-of-cos-word-problems-q4.png

Solution:

a) 

5002 - x2 = 3002 - (600 - x)2

250000 - x2 = 90000 - x2 + 1200x - 360000

1200x = 520000

x=5200001200x=13003Cos ∠B=13003÷500=1315=0.866∠B=Cos-1(0.866)So, ∠B=30°

b.

h2=5002-x2h2=250000-16900009h2=5600009h=200143m

Problem 5 :

A boat, located at position X is running out of fuel.

There are two ports located at Y and Z.

The boat must refuel as soon as possible.

law-of-cos-word-problems-q5.png

How much closer is the boat to the port at Y than the port at Z?

Solution:

angle x is equal to 180° - 60° - 45° = 75°

Using the law of sine,

XYsin 45°=XZsin 60°=YZsin 75°z0.707=y0.866=280.965z=28(0.707)0.965z=20.5y=28(0.866)0.965y=25.12

y - z = 25.12 - 20.5

= 4.62 miles 

The distance is 4.62 miles.

From X to Z is 4.62 miles closer then X to Y.

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