Demystifying - The cosine rule for angles

Drills

The cosine rule rearranged to find any angle from three sides, a negative cosine signalling an obtuse angle.

Author note — to cover (Higher)

Higher only: the cosine rule rearranged to find any angle from three sides, a negative cosine correctly yielding an obtuse angle, with the largest-angle-faces-longest-side check. G22 requires knowing and applying the rule; no right angle may be assumed anywhere in the triangle. (G22)

  • Fluency — direct questions on the cosine rule for angles, limited to this lesson's stated scope (4 questions).
  • Application — use the same skill in unfamiliar or contextual questions without introducing a later method (4 questions).
  • Check — questions built around the exclusions and likely misconceptions named in the lesson brief (4 questions).

The test

—coming soon—

Where to go next

The method this drill practises is taught on The cosine rule for angles.