Law of cosines worksheet for Algebra 2
Pythagoras with a correction for the angle not being a right angle. When the angle is 90 degrees the correction vanishes and it becomes Pythagoras exactly.
Also taught in Precalculus and Geometry, each at its own level and with its own examples.
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Pick more than one for a sheet that mixes them.
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Sigma Prep · sigmaprep.io/worksheets Name The Law of Cosines Date Period Find the missing measure.
Free math worksheets at sigmaprep.io/worksheets© 2026 Sigma Prep |
Sigma Prep · sigmaprep.io/worksheets Name The Law of CosinesAnswer keyVersion 1 Date Period Find the missing measure.
Free math worksheets at sigmaprep.io/worksheets© 2026 Sigma Prep |
How to do these
In a triangle, , and . Find
- c squared is a squared plus b squared minus 2ab cos C.
- 49 plus 25 minus 70 times a half.
The answer is .
Where students go wrong
Adding the correction term instead of subtracting it, or using an angle that is not between the two sides. The angle has to sit between them or the rule does not apply.
Also called cosine rule or solving triangles.
What you can put on this worksheet
- A missing side, from two sides and the angle between
- In a triangle, , and . Find exactly. →
- A missing angle, from three sides
- In a triangle, , and . Find . →
- The law of cosines, any angle, rounded
- In a triangle, , and . Find to the nearest tenth. →
- Solve the whole triangle
- Solve the triangle:
→ - From a labeled drawing
- Find to the nearest tenth of a degree. — triangle xyz, labeled Y, Z, X, 5, 11, 10 →