Oblique Triangle Calculator

Solve any oblique triangle using SSS, SAS, ASA, or AAS methods

Calculate Oblique Triangle

Example Calculation

SSS Example

Given: Sides a = 5, b = 7, c = 9

Method: Use Law of Cosines to find angles

Formula: cos(C) = (a² + b² - c²) / (2ab)

Result: Angles ≈ 33.6°, 46.6°, 99.8°

SAS Example

Given: Sides a = 4, b = 5, Angle C = 40°

Method: Use Law of Cosines for third side, Law of Sines for angles

Area Formula: A = ½ab sin(C)

Result: Area ≈ 6.428 square units

Key Formulas

Law of Cosines

c² = a² + b² - 2ab cos(C)

Used when you know two sides and included angle (SAS) or three sides (SSS)

Law of Sines

a/sin(A) = b/sin(B) = c/sin(C)

Used for ASA and AAS problems

Area Formula

A = ½ab sin(C)

Heron's formula for SSS cases

Triangle Types

Acute Triangle

All angles < 90°

Right Triangle

One angle = 90°

Obtuse Triangle

One angle > 90°

Understanding Oblique Triangles

What is an Oblique Triangle?

An oblique triangle is any triangle that doesn't contain a right angle (90°). This includes acute triangles (all angles less than 90°) and obtuse triangles (one angle greater than 90°).

Solution Methods

  • SSS: Three sides known - use Law of Cosines
  • SAS: Two sides and included angle - use Law of Cosines
  • ASA: Two angles and included side - use Law of Sines
  • AAS: Two angles and non-included side - use Law of Sines

Key Properties

  • Sum of interior angles always equals 180°
  • Triangle inequality: sum of any two sides > third side
  • Largest angle opposite to longest side
  • Can be solved using trigonometric laws

Note: SSA (two sides and non-included angle) can be ambiguous and may have 0, 1, or 2 solutions.