Part 1/5:
Understanding the Law of Cosines in Trigonometry
Trigonometry often presents challenges, but the Law of Cosines offers a straightforward solution for calculating the sides of a triangle. This article delves into the Law of Cosines, its proof, and practical applications to demonstrate how it simplifies calculations involving triangles, even when they are not right-angled.
The Law of Cosines Explained
The Law of Cosines states that for any triangle, given angles A, B, and C, and the lengths of the opposite sides a, b, and c, the relationship can be defined as:
[
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cdot \cos(C)
]