What is the law of sines?
Q: What is the law of sines?
A: The law of sines, also known as the sine rule, is a theorem in mathematics which states that if you have a triangle like the one in the picture, then an equation will be true.
Q: What does this equation say?
A: This equation states that the ratio of each side length to its opposite angle's sine value will be equal.
Q: How is it used?
A: The law of sines can be used to find the remaining sides of a triangle when two angles and a side are known. It can also be used when two sides and one of the angles not enclosed by those two sides are known.
Q: What happens in an ambiguous case?
A: In some cases, the formula gives two possible values for the enclosed angle. This is called an ambiguous case.
Q: How does it compare to other trigonometric equations?
A: The law of sines is one of two trigonometric equations which is used to find lengths and angles in scalene triangles. The other is the law of cosines.
Q: What is D equal to? A: D is equal to the diameter of the triangle's circumcircle.
