SAS Triangle Calculator

Calculate all properties of a triangle using two sides and the included angle (Side-Angle-Side)

Calculate SAS Triangle

First adjacent side

Second adjacent side

Included angle between sides a and b

Triangle Properties

Enter two sides and the included angle to calculate triangle properties

Example Calculation

Example: Find triangle with sides 4 cm, 3 cm and angle 42°

Given: a = 4 cm, b = 3 cm, γ = 42°

Step 1: c = √(4² + 3² - 2×4×3×cos(42°)) = √(16 + 9 - 24×0.7431) = √7.1656 ≈ 2.68 cm

Step 2: α = arcsin(sin(42°) × 4 ÷ 2.68) = arcsin(0.9994) ≈ 89.41°

Step 3: β = 180° - 89.41° - 42° = 48.59°

Step 4: Area = ½ × 4 × 3 × sin(42°) = 6 × 0.6691 ≈ 4.01 cm²

Step 5: Perimeter = 4 + 3 + 2.68 = 9.68 cm

Triangle Laws Used

Law of Cosines

c² = a² + b² - 2ab·cos(γ)

Used to find the third side

Law of Sines

a/sin(α) = b/sin(β) = c/sin(γ)

Used to find remaining angles

SAS Area Formula

A = ½ab·sin(γ)

Direct area calculation from SAS

Triangle Classification

By Angles:

  • • Acute: All angles < 90°
  • • Right: One angle = 90°
  • • Obtuse: One angle > 90°

By Sides:

  • • Scalene: All sides different
  • • Isosceles: Two sides equal
  • • Equilateral: All sides equal

Understanding SAS Triangles

What is a SAS Triangle?

A SAS (Side-Angle-Side) triangle is defined by two adjacent sides and the included angle between them. This combination uniquely determines all other properties of the triangle, making SAS triangles congruent.

Why SAS Triangles are Special

  • Uniquely defined - no ambiguity in construction
  • Congruent triangles - same SAS values create identical triangles
  • Can calculate all other properties using trigonometry
  • Foundation for many geometric proofs and applications

Solution Method

Step 1: Find Third Side

Use Law of Cosines: c² = a² + b² - 2ab·cos(γ)

Step 2: Find First Unknown Angle

Use Law of Sines: sin(α)/a = sin(γ)/c

Step 3: Find Last Angle

Use angle sum: α + β + γ = 180°

Step 4: Calculate Area & Perimeter

Area: A = ½ab·sin(γ), Perimeter: P = a + b + c

SAS vs Other Triangle Types

SAS (Side-Angle-Side)

Two sides + included angle

✓ Unique solution

SSA (Side-Side-Angle)

Two sides + non-included angle

⚠️ May have 0, 1, or 2 solutions

SSS (Side-Side-Side)

Three sides given

✓ Unique solution