SOLUTION: With the information satisfying the given condition, which theorem-the Law of Cosines or the Law of sines-is more useful for finding other parts of the triangle? a.)SAS b.)ASA

Question 559726: With the information satisfying the given condition, which theorem-the Law of Cosines or the Law of sines-is more useful for finding other parts of the triangle?
a.)SAS
b.)ASA
c.)AAS
d.)SSS
Thank you so much !
Regards,
Becca
Answer by KMST(5328) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The law of cosines requires more complicated calculations, so I would only use it if there is no other way.
WHEN TO USE THE LAW OF SINES
The law of sines tells you that in any triangle the ratio of the length of a side to the sine of the opposite angle is constant. You just need at least one angle and the side opposite that angle. If you have that, it is easy to apply. If you have two angles in a triangle, you can calculate the third one, so you really have all three angles. With all three angles and one side, you can apply law of sines in the ASA and AAS cases.
WHEN TO USE THE LAW OF COSINES
Unfortunately you cannot apply the law of sines when you have only the lengths of the 3 sides, but do not know the measures of the angles (SSS). Other unfortunate case happens when you have just one angle, but do not have the opposite side (the SAS case).
NOTE: There is also another case (not in your list), where you could have two different triangles as solutions.
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