GEOMETRICAL DRAWING

Plane Geometry
Some few geometrical constructions will be considered this week.
Geometry is the study of the size and shape of things. The relationship of straight and curved lines in
drawing shapes is also a part of geometry. Some geometric figures used in drafting include circles,
squares, triangles, hexagons and octagons.
Geometric constructions are made of individual lines and points drawn in proper relationship to one
another. One needs to accurately measure lines, angles, and location of points to make an exact geometric
construction. Geometric construction is important for making Engineering drawings. It is also needed for
solving technical problems by use of diagrams. Therefore, one will need to most of the constructions that
will be explained in this section.
1. To bisect a straight line.( A straight line is the shortest line that connect two points):
This involves three steps as follows
i. With center A and radius greater than half AB, describe an arc
ii. Repeat with the same radius but now with point B as the center, the arcs intersecting at C
and D.
iii. Join C to D and this line will be perpendicular to and bisect AB.

2. To bisect a given angle AOB, steps to be followed are stated below

i. With center O, draw an arc to cut OA at C and OB at D.
ii. With center C and D, draw equal radii to intersect at E
iii. Line OE bisects angle AOB

3. To bisect a given arc:

i. With center A and radius greater than half AB, describe an arc.
ii. Repeat with the same radius from B, the arcs intersecting at C and D.
iii. Join C to D to bisect the arc AB.
4. To find the center of a given arc:
i. Draw two chords, AC and BD.
ii. Bisect AC and BD as shown; the bisectors will intersect at E.
iii. The center of the arc is point E.

5. To inscribe a circle in a given triangle:

i. Bisect any two of the angles as shown so that the bisectors intersect at D.
ii. The center of the inscribed circle is point D.

6. To circumscribe a circle around a triangle ABC:

i. Bisect any two of the sides of the triangle as shown, so that the bisectors intersect at D.
ii. The center of the circumscribing circle is point D.

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7. To draw a hexagon, given the distance across the corners. There are two methods:
Method A
i. Draw vertical and horizontal center lines and a circle with a diameter equal to the given
distance.
ii. Step off the radius around the circle to give six equally spaced points, and join the points to
give the required hexagon.

Method B
i. Draw vertical and horizontal center lines and a circle with a diameter equal to the given
distance.
ii. With a 60°set-square, draw points on the circumference 60°apart.
iii. Connect these six points by straight lines to give the required hexagon.

8. To draw a hexagon, given the distance across the flats:

i. Draw vertical and horizontal center lines and a circle with a diameter equal to the given
distance.
ii. Use a 60°set-square and tee-square as shown, to give the six sides.

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9. To draw a regular octagon, given the distance across corners:
i. Draw vertical and horizontal center lines and a circle with a diameter equal to the given
distance.
ii. With a 45°set-square, draw points on the circumference 45°apart.
iii. Connect these eight points by straight lines to give the required hexagon.

10. To draw a regular octagon, given the distance across the flats:
i. Draw vertical and horizontal center lines and a circle with a diameter equal to the given
distance.
ii. Use a 45°set-square and tee-square as shown, to give the eight sides.

11. To draw a regular polygon, given the length of the sides: Note that a regular polygon is defined as
a plane figure which is bounded by straight lines of equal length and which contains angles of
equal size. Assume the number of sides is seven in this example.
i. Draw the given length of one side AB, and with radius AB describe a semi-circle.
ii. Divide the semi-circle into seven equal angles, using a protractor, and through the second
division from the left join line A2.
iii. Draw radial lines from A through points 3, 4, 5, and 6.
iv. With radius AB and center on point 2, describe an arc to meet the extension of line A3,
shown here as point F.
v. Repeat with radius AB and center F to meet the extension of line A4 at E.
vi. Connect the points as shown, to complete the required polygon.

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