Constructions

Presented by
Kelsey Maher and Zaida Schuffert
Construct
vs.
Draw
 Collapsing Compass
It does not remember radii
The Used for Postulate 3 to draw
a circle with a given center
Compass that passes through a second
point
 No marks whatsoever
It can be used to draw or
extend segments
The It does not remember
distances
Straightedge Only for the purposes
explicitly permitted by
Postulates 1 & 2
Why didnt we use
tools that recorded
measurements?
What we use today
Construction Problem 9.1.1 (I.1):
Given a segment AB, construct an
equilateral triangle ABC with
base AB.
Proof
C
AC = AB (Definition of circle)

BC = AB (Definition of circle)

AB = AC = BC A B

ABC is an equilateral

(Definition of equilateral )
Even More
Advanced:
Dynamic
Mathematics
Software
Construction Problem 9.2.6
(I.12):
Given a line l and an external point
P, construct the line through P that
is perpendicular to l.
https://ggbm.at/Mn45GkfR
Proof

PB = PC (Definition of circle)

BD = CD (Definition of circle)

PBD ~= PCD (PD = PD; SSS Theorem)

__BPD = __CPD (Congruent s)

BPE ~
= CPE (PE = PE; SAS Postulate)

__BEP = __CEP = 90 (Linear Pair Theorem)

PC __ l (Definition of perpendicular)
 Neutral
vs.
Euclidean
 Euclidean Constructions

Areas

Regular
Polygons
 Impossible Constructions

Trisecting an Angle Squaring a Circle Doubling a Cube

Given an angle ABC, Given a circular region, Given a cube, construct a

construct an angle DEF construct a square whose cube whose volume is
such that the measure of area is equal to that of twice that of the given
angle DEF is a third the the circular region. cube.
measure of angle ABC.
 More Resources &
Practice

MA408Constructions.Weebly.com
References
Joyce, D.E. (1998). Euclids Elements. Retrieved from
http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/elements.html

Page, J.D. (n.d.). Introduction to Constructions. Math Open Reference.

Retrieved from http://www.mathopenref.com/constructions.html

Venema, G.A. (2012). Foundations of Geometry (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA:

Pearson Education, Inc.
Steps

1. Construct a circle with

center P, radius greater
than d(P,l)
2. Mark the intersections,
B and C.
3. Construct a circle with
center B, radius BC.
4. Construct a circle with
center C, radius BC.
5. Mark the intersection, D.
6. Line PD is perpendicular
to line l.
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps
Steps