Figure 1-28.-Two ambiguous case triangles (solution of one will satisfy the other).

Figure 1-29.-Comparison of an ambiguous case triangle to a standard triangle.

might satisfy this situation. Both triangles shown are with given angle A = 3000, given side a = 4.00 ft, and given side c = 6.00 ft.

The best way to determine whether or not the given data for a triangle involves an ambiguous case is to lay out a figure to scale on the basis of the data, as shown in figure 1-29. Suppose, for example, that the data describes a triangle with angle A = 2200'; side opposite, 5.40 ft; and other side, 14.00 ft. Lay off a line, AB, 14.00 ft long (to scale, of course), as shown in the upper triangle of figure 1-29. Use a protractor to lay off a line from A at 2200'. Set a compass to the graphical distance of 5.40 ft (length of side opposite A) and with B as a center, strike an arc. You observe that this arc intersects the line from A at two places. Therefore, the triangle ACB and the triangle ADB both satisfy the data, and you have an ambiguous case.

Suppose now that the data describes a triangle with angle A = 3500; side opposite, 10.00 ft; and other side, 8.00 ft. Lay off the line AB 8.00 ft long as shown in the lower triangle of figure 1-29, and lay off a line from A at 3500, Set a compass to 10.00 ft (length of side opposite A) and with B as a center, strike an arc. This arc will intersect the line from A at only one point. Therefore, only one triangle satisfies the data.