Scale used in geometric construction

Division of lines
Figure 7.16 shows the method of dividing a given line AB, 89 mm long, into a number of parts (say 7). Draw line AC, and measure 7 equal divisions. Draw line B7, and with the tee-square and set-square draw lines parallel to line B7 through points 1 to 6, to give the required divisions on AB. 1 Draw a line 160 mm long. 2 Divide the line into four equal parts. 3 Draw 10 vertical divisions as shown and to any reasonable scale (say 5 mm) and add diagonals. An example of reading the scale is given.

Plain scales
The method of drawing a plain scale is shown in Fig. 7.19. The example is for a plain scale of 30 mm to 500 mm to read by 125 mm to 2500.
B C A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fig. 7.16

Figure 7.17 shows an alternative method. 1 Draw vertical lines from A and B. 2 Place the scale rule across the vertical lines so that seven equal divisions are obtained and marked. 3 Draw vertical lines up from points 2 to 7 to intersect AB.

Diagonal scales
Figure 7.18 shows the method of drawing a diagonal scale of 40 mm to 1000 which can be read by 10 mm to 4000. Diagonal scales are so called since diagonals are drawn in the rectangular part at the left-hand end of the scale. The diagonals produce a series of similar triangles.
Scale rule A 90 B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fig. 7.17
2770 mm 100 80 60 40

20 1000 500 0 1000 2000 3000 mm mm

Fig. 7.18 Diagonal scale where 40 mm represents 1000 mm

500 mm 0 125 mm 500 mm 1000 2000 1375 mm

Fig. 7.19 Plain scale where 30 mm represents 500 mm

1 Draw a line 150 mm long and divide it into 5 equal parts. 2 Divide the first 30 mm length into four equal parts, and note the zero position or, the solution. An example of a typical reading is given.