Ambiguous Case: Challenge & Extension
Mathematics
GCSE Higher
13 questions
~26 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
This worksheet explores the Ambiguous Case of the Sine Rule, challenging students to analyze different scenarios where triangles may have zero, one, or two solutions. Designed for extension, it includes practical, reasoning, and challenging problems.
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Ambiguous Case: Challenge & Extension
Subject: MathematicsGrade: GCSE Higher
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE Higher
A
Fluency & Practice
Answer all questions. Show your working clearly in the grid spaces provided.
1.
Given a triangle where sides a=7 cm, side b=10 cm, and the angle opposite side a is 40°, determine whether the Sine Rule can be used to find angle B, and if so, find angle B.
[3 marks]2.
Two sides of a triangle are 8 cm and 13 cm, with the included angle of 50°. Use the Sine Rule to determine if the third side can be uniquely found and state the possible number of solutions.
[3 marks]3.
A triangle has sides 9 cm and 12 cm, with an included angle of 70°. Can the Ambiguous Case occur here? Explain your reasoning briefly.
[2 marks]4.
Construct a triangle with sides 5 cm and 9 cm, and an angle of 60° between them. Use the Sine Rule to find the possible lengths of the third side.
[4 marks]B
Problem Solving & Reasoning
Work through each problem carefully. Provide explanations and reasoning.
1.
A triangle has sides 15 cm and 20 cm with an included angle of 120°. Use the Sine Rule to determine whether there are zero, one, or two possible positions for the third side, and find its length if solutions exist.
[4 marks]2.
Explain why the Ambiguous Case occurs only under certain conditions when using the Sine Rule for solving triangles.
[3 marks]3.
In a scenario with sides 6 cm and 10 cm and an included angle of 80°, determine whether the Sine Rule will produce one solution, two solutions, or no solution. Justify your answer.
[3 marks]4.
Given two possible triangles with sides 7 cm and 24 cm, and a common angle of 30°, explain how to determine which triangle is valid based on the Law of Sines.
[3 marks]C
Real-world Applications
Apply your understanding to these real-world scenarios involving the Ambiguous Case.
1.
A surveyor measures two sides of a triangular plot of land as 50 m and 70 m, with the included angle measured as 100°. Using the Sine Rule, identify how many possible positions the third corner could have and find the length of the third side for each case.
[4 marks]D
Challenge & Extension
Tackle these advanced problems to deepen your understanding of the Ambiguous Case.
1.
Construct a triangle where sides a=8 cm, b=15 cm, and the included angle is 100°. Use the Sine Rule to determine all possible configurations of the triangle. Discuss the conditions for each and calculate the third side length in each case.
[4 marks]2.
Given a triangle with sides 9 cm and 14 cm, and an included angle of 90°, analyze whether the Ambiguous Case applies, and if not, justify why.
[2 marks]E
Mixed Review & Error Analysis
Answer the following questions to review common mistakes and deepen understanding.
1.
A student attempts to use the Sine Rule with sides 10 cm, 15 cm, and an angle of 50°, claiming there are two possible triangles. Identify and explain the mistake in the student's reasoning.
[3 marks]2.
List common errors students make when applying the Ambiguous Case and how to avoid them.
[3 marks]Quick Actions
What is Remix?
Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.
- • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
- • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
- • Add more questions (10 → 15)
- • Adjust difficulty
Details
- Created
- 1/1/2026
- Updated
- 1/1/2026
- Type
- worksheet