Cosine Crusade

Worksheet Description

This worksheet focuses on the application of the Law of Cosines to solve problems involving triangles with various given side lengths and angles. Students are presented with six different triangles, each requiring the use of the Law of Cosines to find missing sides or angles. The worksheet provides specific measurements for each triangle, and students must accurately apply the formula to calculate the unknown values. The problems range in complexity, challenging students to think critically about which values to substitute and how to perform the calculations correctly. Students are also expected to round their answers to the nearest tenth, ensuring precision in their solutions.

This worksheet is designed to teach students how to effectively use the Law of Cosines in different geometric contexts. It encourages students to recognize when this particular law is necessary, especially in situations involving non-right triangles where other trigonometric methods may not suffice. By working through the problems, students enhance their ability to accurately apply the formula and gain confidence in solving complex triangle-related problems. The requirement to round answers to the nearest tenth reinforces the importance of attention to detail and precision in mathematical calculations. Ultimately, the worksheet aims to build students’ proficiency in using the Law of Cosines to solve real-world and theoretical problems involving triangles.