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Spherical Trigonometry

Spherical trigonometry deals with triangles on the surface of a sphere. The three angles of a spherical triangle always sum to more than 180 degrees. Some key properties are that the sum of any two sides is greater than the third side, and the sum of all three sides is less than the circumference of the great circle. There are also trigonometric identities relating the sines, cosines, and tangents of the angles and sides, such as the sine of any angle being equal to the product of the cosines of its opposite angles.

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146 views2 pages

Spherical Trigonometry

Spherical trigonometry deals with triangles on the surface of a sphere. The three angles of a spherical triangle always sum to more than 180 degrees. Some key properties are that the sum of any two sides is greater than the third side, and the sum of all three sides is less than the circumference of the great circle. There are also trigonometric identities relating the sines, cosines, and tangents of the angles and sides, such as the sine of any angle being equal to the product of the cosines of its opposite angles.

Uploaded by

Arvin Lazo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY

Spherical Trigonometry- deals with polygons (especially triangle) on the sphere and the
relationships between sides and angles.

Sphere-solid bounded by a surface every point of which is equally distant from a fixed point
which is called the center of the sphere.

Great Circle-the intersection of the cutting plane passes through the center of the sphere.

Small Circle-the intersection of cutting plane passes elsewhere

Properties of Spherical Triangles

1. The 3 sides are all arcs of great circle


2. Any two sides are together longer than the third side
3. The sum of the three angles is greater than 180°
4. Each individual spherical angles less than 180°

B
A

E
D
c

5. The sum of the 3 sides of the spherical triangles is less than the circumference of a great
circle.

Sum of the 3 Vertex Angle Sum of any 2 Sides


A+B+C > 180° a+b>c
A+B+C < 540° a+c>b
b+c>a
Sum of the 3 Sides
0° < a + b + c < 360°

Right Spherical Triangle


Using NAPIER’S circle

b a

A
B

Sin – Co – Op Rule – the sine of any middle part is equal to the product of cosines of its opposite
parts.
1. sin a=cosAcosC
2. sin b=cosBcosC
3. sin A=cosBcos a
4. sin C=cos b cos a
5. sin B=cosA cos b

Sin – Ta – Ad Rule – the sine of any middle part is equal to the product of the tangents of its
adjacent parts.

1. sin a=tanBtanb
2. sin B=tan a tanC
3. sin A=tan b tanC
4. sin C=tanA tanB
5. sin b=tanA tan a

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