1. What is the Law of Cosines?

The Law of Cosines is a formula that relates the lengths of the sides of a triangle to the cosine of one of its angles. It's particularly useful for finding an angle when you know all three sides of a triangle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Law of Cosines formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — Side opposite the angle being calculated
• \( b, c \) — The other two sides of the triangle
• The result is in degrees

Explanation: This formula calculates the angle opposite side a in a triangle when all three side lengths are known.

3. Applications of Angle Calculation

Details: Angle calculation using the Law of Cosines is essential in various fields including engineering, navigation, computer graphics, and physics for determining angles in triangular formations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all three side lengths in meters. Ensure the values form a valid triangle (the sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I get an error message?
A: The error indicates the side lengths don't form a valid triangle. Check that the sum of any two sides is greater than the third side.

Q2: Can I use different units of measurement?
A: Yes, as long as all three sides use the same unit. The calculator displays results in degrees regardless of the input unit.

Q3: What's the precision of the calculation?
A: The calculator provides results with 2 decimal places for angles, which is typically sufficient for most applications.

Q4: Does this work for all types of triangles?
A: Yes, the Law of Cosines works for acute, right, and obtuse triangles.

Q5: How is this different from the Pythagorean theorem?
A: The Pythagorean theorem is a special case of the Law of Cosines that only applies to right triangles.