Law of cosines worksheet for Geometry
In Geometry the law of cosines handles the two cases the law of sines cannot start: two sides with the angle between them (SAS) and all three sides (SSS). Answers come out as exact radicals or rounded to the nearest tenth, and some of the angles are obtuse.
Also taught in Algebra 2 and Precalculus, each at its own level and with its own examples.
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Sigma Prep · sigmaprep.io/worksheets Name The Law of Cosines Date Period Find the missing measure.
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Sigma Prep · sigmaprep.io/worksheets Name The Law of CosinesAnswer keyVersion 3 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
- c² = 6² + 10² - 2(6)(10) cos 60°.
- That is 136 - 120 × 1/2 = 136 - 60 = 76.
- Take the square root and simplify: √76 = 2√19.
The answer is .
Where students go wrong
Working left to right: 36 + 100 - 120 is 16, and 16 times cos 60° is wrong. Multiply 120 by cos 60° first, then subtract from 136.
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 →