[Math] Why are there two possible triangles when given SAS

conventiontrigonometry

I gave my trigonometry students the following example: Solve $\triangle ABC\ $ , where AC=0.923, AB=.387, and $\measuredangle A\ = 43.33^\circ\ $. First I found BC using the law of cosines, then I found $\measuredangle B\ $ using the law of sines, and $\measuredangle C\ $ using the sum of the interior angles of the triangle.
Some of my students found BC first, then found $\measuredangle C\ $ and got a different value then if they had solved it my way. Why is this? I was under the impression that the ambiguous case existed when you're in the situation of SSA. Note: the textbook says that the convention is to solve for the largest angle first. Why is this?

Best Answer

Does the value they found for $\angle C$ actually solve the problem, or did they find one that is only partially consistent with the information given?

For example, if they only take into account $AC$, $BC$, and the angle $\angle A$, then they may obtain two possible values for the angle $\angle C$, but only one of them will be consistent with the known value of $AB$. If you ignore the value of $AB$, you get in trouble. So you should check if the "other value" they found for $C$ is consistent with the length of $AB$, and I'll bet you it is not.

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