Solve the triangle: a=2, b=3, C=60∘ shown in Figure 64.
Solution Because two sides a and b and the included angle C=60∘ (SAS) are known, we use the Law of Cosines to find the third side c. c2=a2+b2−2abcosC=22+32−2⋅2⋅3⋅cos60∘=13−(12⋅12)=7c=√7
Side c is of length √7. To find either the angle A or B, use the Law of Cosines. For A, a2=b2+c2−2bccosA2bccosA=b2+c2−a2cosA=b2+c2−a22bc=9+7−42⋅3√7=126√7=2√77A≈40.9∘
Then to find the third angle, use the fact that the sum of the angles of a triangle, when measured in degrees, equals 180∘. That is, 40.9∘+B+60∘=180∘B=79.1∘