Pythagoras c² = a² + b² (right triangles only)
Law of cosines c² = a² + b² − 2ab·cos(C) (any triangle)
Heron's area s = (a+b+c)/2, A = √(s(s−a)(s−b)(s−c))
Area from SAS A = ½·a·b·sin(C)
| Given | Use |
|---|---|
| Three sides | Law of cosines for angles, Heron for area |
| Two sides and the angle between | Law of cosines for the third side |
| Two legs of a right triangle | Pythagoras |
| Any two of a right triangle | Pythagoras, rearranged |
- Three sides only form a triangle if each pair adds to more than the third — the triangle inequality.
- The angles always total 180°.
- 3-4-5 is the smallest whole-number right triangle, which is why builders use it to square a corner.