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Triangle Calculator

Solve triangles given sides and angles. Calculate area, perimeter, and other properties.

Enter Known Values

Enter at least 3 values (SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS). Sides a, b, c are opposite to angles A, B, C.

Sides

Angles (degrees)

Formulas Used

  • Law of Cosines: c² = a² + b² - 2ab·cos(C)
  • Law of Sines: a/sin(A) = b/sin(B) = c/sin(C)
  • Area (Heron's): √(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)) where s = (a+b+c)/2
  • Inradius: Area / s
  • Circumradius: abc / (4·Area)

Puzzle Tips

  • • Triangulation is common in multi-cache puzzles
  • • Area or angle calculations may give coordinate digits
  • • Right triangles have special properties (a² + b² = c²)
  • • Equilateral triangles have all 60° angles

Triangle Calculator

This tool solves triangles given various combinations of sides and angles. Enter at least three values to calculate all properties of the triangle.

Solving Methods

SSS (Side-Side-Side)

All three sides known. Uses Law of Cosines to find angles.

SAS (Side-Angle-Side)

Two sides and the included angle. Uses Law of Cosines for third side.

ASA (Angle-Side-Angle)

Two angles and the included side. Uses Law of Sines.

AAS (Angle-Angle-Side)

Two angles and a non-included side. Third angle = 180° - A - B.

Properties Calculated

  • Area: Using Heron's formula
  • Perimeter: Sum of all sides
  • Inradius: Radius of inscribed circle
  • Circumradius: Radius of circumscribed circle
  • Type: Acute/Right/Obtuse, Scalene/Isosceles/Equilateral

In Geocaching

Triangle calculations are useful for:

  • Triangulation: Finding position from multiple points
  • Area puzzles: Calculating land areas
  • Bearing problems: Navigation calculations
  • Survey markers: Understanding historical surveys

Important Formulas

  • Law of Cosines: c² = a² + b² - 2ab·cos(C)
  • Law of Sines: a/sin(A) = b/sin(B) = c/sin(C)
  • Pythagorean: a² + b² = c² (right triangles only)