when solving for measures of angles using the law of sines, it is sometimes possible to have an ambiguous case. why does the ambiguous case arise? when might the ambiguous case occur?

Question

johnweldon1993 · Answer

lol well after a quick search http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_sines#The_ambiguous_case might help :)

luigi0210 · Answer

Ha, wiki..

johnweldon1993 · Answer

Woo wiki to the rescue haha...other sites were like...what on earth are they talking about

luigi0210 · Answer

right on!

luigi0210 · Answer

@meegan do you understand wiki or do you need another explanation?

anonymous · Answer

I will give you an example, see that picture

anonymous · Answer

sorry, wrong file

anonymous · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

If you have a triangle like the first one, and want to discover the value of the angle c, you have an ambiguous case. Because you don't defined the value of b and the angle a is < 90º. So, you have two possibilities: that c is <90º too or c > 90º. That's a ambigous case: when you have 2 sides and only an angle, opposite to one of that sides.

anonymous · Answer

@zairhenrique @Luigi0210 @johnweldon1993 

thank you all so much! i had to go wash the dishes right after i posted this so that's why i didnt reply. this is plenty of information, thank you all very much

luigi0210 · Answer

You are welcome
Thank you john

johnweldon1993 · Answer

You're welcome :)

Thanks zairherique!

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome, thank luigi.

anonymous · Answer

Now we are all thanked.

luigi0210 · Answer

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