Cosine Rule Problems - Solve Arbitrarily Chosen Triangles

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    Cosine Cosine rule
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nDever
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Hey,

If I wanted to make up problems that are solved using the law of cosines, shouldn't it work out even if I arbitrarily choose side a, b, and θ? After all, any two sides and an angle between them form a triangle. Correct?
 
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Yes correct. I'm curious to know why you think choosing sides a b and theta wouldn't give you an answer for c.
 
mathman said:
You're OK as long as the angle is < 180 deg.

Even then you'd just have a triangle in the other direction. You would just have to change a sign(no pun intended).