Maths - Cosine Rule


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What is the $a^2$ form of the cosine rule?


\[a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc\cos(A)\]
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What is the $\cos(A)$ form of the cosine rule?


\[\cos(A) = \frac{b^2 + c^2 - a^2}{2bc}\]
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When can you use the cosine rule for working out the length of a side?


When you have SAS.

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When can you use to cosine rule for working out an angle?


When you have only lengths.

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What is the initial setup for the cosine rule?


PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF UNLABELLED

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How is the start of the cosine rule proof similar to the start of the sine rule proof?


You drop a line $h$ down the centre of a triangle.

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Along with $h$, what variable do you also introduce when starting the cosine rule proof?


$x$

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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF UNLABELLED Where does $h$ go for the cosine rule proof?


PHOTO COSINE RULE H

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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF UNLABELLED Where does $x$ go for the cosine rule proof?


PHOTO COSINE RULE X

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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF X What else could you label on the above diagram in terms of $x$?


PHOTO COSINE RULE XCX

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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF LABELLED How could you write $a^2$?


\[(c - x)^2 + h^2 = a^2\]
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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF LABELLED How could you write $b^2$?


\[x^2 + h^2 = a^2\]
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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF LABELLED How could you write $\cos(A)$?


\[\frac{x}{b}\]
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PHOTO COSINE RULE PROOF LABELLED If $\cos(A) = \frac{x}{B}$, how could you write $x$?


\[b\cos A\]
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Rearrange $b^2 = x^2 + h^2$ so $h^2$ is the subject of the formula?


\[h^2 = b^2 - x^2\]
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Rearrange $a^2 = (c-x)^2 + h^2$ so $h^2$ is the subject of the formula?


\[h^2 = a^2 - (c-x)^2\]
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If $h^2 = b^2 - x^2$ and $h^2 = a^2 - (c-x)^2$, then what must be true?


\[b^2 - x^2 = a^2 - (c-x)^2\]
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What is $(c-x)^2$?


\[c^2 - 2cx + x^2\]
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How could you simplify $b^2 - x^2 = a^2 - c^2 + 2cx + x^2$?


Eliminate $x^2$ from both sides.

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Substituting $x = b\cos(A)$ into $b^2 = a^2 - c^2 + 2cx$ gives what formula?


The cosine rule.

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What are the four main steps for proving the cosine rule?


  • Drawing a diagram with two new variables
  • Creating two expressions using the Pythagorean theorem
  • Creating one expression using normal triginometry
  • Substituting



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