Triangle Perimeter Calculator

Quickly determine a triangle's perimeter by entering: Three sides, Two sides and the included angle or One side and two adjacent angles.

Calculate Triangle Perimeter

How to Calculate the Perimeter of a Triangle

1. When all three sides are known

Simply add the lengths of the three sides: \( P = a + b + c \)

2. When two sides and the included angle are known

Use the law of cosines to calculate the third side, then add them together:

Given two sides \(a\) and \(b\) with the included angle \(C\), the third side \(c\) is: \( c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2 - 2ab \cdot \cos(C)} \) The perimeter is then: \( P = a + b + c \) If it is not an included angle, we need to discuss the side corresponding to the angle, and then use the law of sines to find the corresponding angle and side length. Finally, add the three sides together to get the perimeter of the triangle.

3. When one side and two adjacent angles are known

If the known side is \(a\) and its opposite angle is \(A\), and the adjacent angles are \(B\) and \(C\), calculate the third angle as: \( A = 180^\circ - B - C \quad \text{(or } \pi - B - C \text{ for radians)} \) Using the law of sines, find the other two sides \(b\) and \(c\): \( b = \frac{a \cdot \sin(B)}{\sin(A)} \) \( c = \frac{a \cdot \sin(C)}{\sin(A)} \) The perimeter is: P = a + b + c

Examples

Example 1: A triangle has sides \(a = 5\), \(b = 7\), and \(c = 9\). Find the perimeter.

Solution:

\( P = 5 + 7 + 9 = 21 \)

Result: The perimeter is 21.

Example 2: A triangle has sides \(a = 6\), \(b = 8\), and the included angle \(C = 60^\circ\). Find the perimeter.

Solution:

1. Calculate the third side \(c\):

\( c = \sqrt{6^2 + 8^2 - 2 \times 6 \times 8 \times \cos(60^\circ)} = \sqrt{100 - 48} = \sqrt{52} \approx 7.21 \)

2. Calculate the perimeter:

\( P = 6 + 8 + 7.21 \approx 21.21 \)

Result: The perimeter is approximately 21.21.

Example 3: A triangle has side \(a = 10\) and adjacent angles \(B = 45^\circ\) and \(C = 60^\circ\). Find the perimeter.

Solution:

1. Calculate the third angle \(A\):

\( A = 180^\circ - 45^\circ - 60^\circ = 75^\circ \)

2. Use the law of sines to find \(b\) and \(c\):

\( b = \frac{10 \times \sin(45^\circ)}{\sin(75^\circ)} \approx 7.32 \)

\( c = \frac{10 \times \sin(60^\circ)}{\sin(75^\circ)} \approx 8.97 \)

3. Calculate the perimeter:

\( P = 10 + 7.32 + 8.97 \approx 26.29 \)

Result: The perimeter is approximately 26.29.