GCSE Maths Practice: bearings

Question 10 of 10

This question helps students select the correct rule for non-right-angled triangle bearings problems.

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\( \begin{array}{l}\text{Which rule(s) help solve non-right-angled triangle problems involving bearings?}\end{array} \)

Select all correct options:

Identify triangle type first: right-angled → Pythagoras, non-right → Sine or Cosine Rule.

When solving bearings problems that involve non-right-angled triangles, the Sine Rule or Cosine Rule is often needed. Pythagoras' Theorem is only applicable for right-angled triangles. For non-right-angled cases, Sine Rule allows calculation of unknown sides or angles using known sides and angles, while Cosine Rule is useful for calculating sides or angles when two sides and the included angle or three sides are known. Students should draw a diagram, label sides and angles, and decide which rule fits the information given. This process ensures accurate calculation of distances and bearings in complex scenarios. Understanding the application of each rule is crucial for exam success and practical navigation problems. Practising these techniques builds confidence and accuracy in solving bearings problems with triangles of any type.