For any triangle (right or oblique), when you know the lengths of two sides and the size of the angle opposite one of them, or the sizes of two angles and the length of the side opposite one of them, you can solve the triangle by applying the law of sines. The law of sines (which is explained and proved in NAVPERS 10071-B, chapter 5) states that the lengths of the sides of any triangle are proportional to the sines of their opposite angles. It is expressed in formula form as follows:

In the triangle shown in figure 1-24, A = 4124', a = 8.00 ft, and b = 12.00 ft. If

it follows that