GEOMETRICAL CONSTRUCTIONS

i)LINE SEGMENT

Example 1: Construct a line segment XY of 7.5 cm

Step 1: Use ruler to draw line longer than 7.5 cm. Mark point X on it.
Step 2: Open compasses and measure 7.5 cm.
Step 3: Put the point of compasses on X, draw an arc across the line. Mark the intersection
point as Y.
SO, XY IS A LINE SEGMENT OF 7.5 CM

i)PERPENDICULAR BISECTOR

Example 1: Construct a perpendicular bisector to line TU = 4.6 cm

Step 1: Place the point of the compasses at T. Adjust the length slightly more than half the
length of TU. Draw 2 arcs (up and down)

Step 2: With the same length, draw another 2 arcs from U to intersect the first 2 arcs.

Step 3: Join the intersection points of the arcs. Label them as VW.

VW is the perpendicular bisector of the line TU

iii)PERPENDICULAR LINE TO A STRAIGHT LINE

Example 1: Construct a perpendicular line that passes through P.

Step 1:Place the point of the compasses at P. Draw 2 arcs that cut the line AB and label
them M and N.
Step 2: With centre M and length larger than MP, draw an arc above P.
Step 3: With the same length, draw another arc from N to intersect the first arc. Mark as K.
Step 4: Draw line from P to K.

A B

Example 2: Construct a perpendicular line from P to line AB

Step 1:Place the point of the compasses at P. Use suitable length and draw 2 arcs that cut
line AB at 2 points labelled as X and Y.
Step 2: Without changing the length, draw arcs from X and Y to intersect and label as Q.
Step 3: Join P and Q.

B
iv) PARALLEL LINES

Example 1: Construct a line parallel to TU that passes through V.

Step 1: With the distance on the compasses equal to the length of TV, construct an arc
from T passing through V.

Step 2: With the same distance, construct an arc from U.

Step 3: With distance on compasses equal to length of TU, construct arc from V
intersecting arc in step 2.

Step 4: Join V and the point constructed in step 3.

 V

T U

v) Angle 60o

Example 1: Construct 60o at P

Step 1: Place the point of the compasses at P. With suitable length, draw arc which
cross the line PQ at X.
Step 2: Without changing length, place the point of the compasses at X and draw
another arc to cut the first arc at Y.
Step 3: Join P to Y.

P Q

ii)ANGLE BISECTOR
Example 1: Construct bisector of angle DEF
Step 1: Place point of the compasses at E. With suitable length, draw arc which
cut DE at P and EF at Q.

Step 2: Place the point of the compasses at P and draw arc.

Step 3: Without changing length, draw arc from Q to intersect the first arc. Mark
the intersection as X.

E F