18

PRACTICAL GEOMETRY (Construction

ON
&1 INTRODUCTION
a . 1N 2

2s, we have learnt about the to

construction of triangles.
arliertriangle we require three measurements of sides
We have see
or angles (at
(at least one of
onstructa
1ct*de). Now a natural question arises whether four measur
sid
urements uld be
1sdraw a quadrilateral. In fact a quadrilateral has 10 elements (four sSide four
a
te
hem
ufficient
two diagonals) and to draw a quadrilateral anv five independent elemen
es a n , In
In this chapter, we will study construction of quadrilaterals.
given.
must
be
NSTRUCTiON OF QUADRILATERALS
82 ow tthat
hat
the shape and size of a polygon are defined by its elements. The elemen
know triangle is tne
Aswe te up a polygon are its sides, enclosed angles and diagonals. Adefin a triangle
It does not have any diagonal. So, the elements that
that nolygon. of any three
and three angles. It is possible to draw a triangle if the size
po
simple;three sides
ides and a construct
to
are given. In the previous class, we have learnt how
are ent elements
i n d e p e n d e n te l e m e n t s

trianglew h e n :
are given
three sides
(i) its included are given;
sides and the angle
. ) i t s two
and the included side are given;
its two angles
i) given.
and one side of a right triangle are
or,iv)thehypotenuse
i
two diagonals and its four angles.
the elements are its four sides,
quadrilateral quadrilateral if any
ease
case
of a
has ten elements. It is possible to draw a convex
indepen-
quadrilateral, six
Thus, a quadrilateral elements
To draw a
are given.
non-convex

fve independent
elements a r e
required.
quadrilateral in the
following simple
dent construct a convex
shall learn to
what follows, we
In
cases diagonal given;
are
sides and one

(i) when of four

the lengths two diagonals are
given;
sides and the
when the lengths of three are given;
(ii) sides and one angle
ii) when the lengths of
four included angles
are given;
sides and two
three
(iv) when the lengths of sides are given.
two included
(v)when three angles and DIAGONAL ARE GIVEN
ONE
SIDES AND
WHEN FOUR the quadrilateral
QUADRILATERAL consider
18.2.1 CONSTRUCTING A are given,
we
quadrilateral
of a
and a diagonal
en four sides made of two triangles: side is given.
ABCD as a figure
AC a s the
common

when diagonal side is given.

and AADC first
BD as the
common

we
aABC are given,
when diagonal one
diagonal
and
or,(i) 4 A B D and ^ BCD sides when four
ordet o draw the
quadrilateral
 18.2 athematics tor Class VI
and write its dimensions alon
sketch of the quadrilateral the
araw a
n e n we
rough
divide it into two conveniently,
constructable triangles.
sides ana
examples will illustrate the
same.
Following
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB =4.4 cm, BC=4

Example and BD = 6.6 cm.
cm, CD =6.4
cm, DA = 2.8 cm

Solution First we draw a rough sketch of the quadrilateral ABCD and

dimensions along the sides. ywn its
We may divide the quadrilateral ABCD into two costructible tria.

and BCD. ngles ABD

6.4 cm

6.6 cm D

4.4 cm 2 . 8c m

Fig. 18.1
Steps of Construction:
Step I Draw BD = 6.6 cm.
Step II With B centre and radius BC =4 cm, draw an arc.
as

Step I1I With D as centre and radius CD =6.4 cm, draw an

arc, to intersect the
in step 1I at C. arc draun

6.4 cm

B 6.6 cm

4.4 cm 2 . 8c m

Fig. 18.2
Step 1V With B as centre and radius BA =
4.4 cm, draw
to that ofC. an arc on the side of BD oPposite
Step V With D as centre and radius
drawn in step IV at A. AD =2.8 cm, draw another arc to intersect
arc

Step VI Join BA, DA, BC and

CD.
The
quadrilateral ABCD so obtained is the
required quadrilateral.
 netry(Constructions)
P a c c aG
l sO
18.3
Example
2
Construct

= 6.5 cm.
parallelogram ABCD where AB
a

AB =3.6 cm, BC *C = 4.2 cm

and
AC
In aa parallelogram opposite sides are equal. Thus, we have uct a
Gotuion quadrilateral
wCD=3.6
AD 4.2 cm and AC = 6.5 cm. 6 3 . 6 cm, BC =4.2 cm, 6 cmn,

3.6
cm

4.2 cm
6.5 cm
A
4.2 cm 3.6cm

Fig. 18.3
S t e p so fC o n s t r u c t i o n :

Draw AC = 6.5 cm as shouwn in Fig. 18.3.

Step
With A as centre and radius AB =3.6 cm, draw an arc.
SteplI
With C as centre and radius BC =4.2 cm, draw an arec, intersecting the are
Stepl l
drawn in step II at B.
With A as centre and radius AD =4.2 cm, draw an arc on the side of AC
opposite to that of B.
With C as centre and radius CD =3.6 cm, draw another arc to intersect the
Step
arc crawn in step IV at D.
Join AB, BC, AD and CD to obtain the required parallelogram ABcD.
SepVI
Example 3 Construct a rhombus with side 4.5 cm and one diagonal 6 cm.
Solution A rhombus is a quadrilateral having al sides equal and opposite sides
parallel. Thus, we have to construct a quadrilateral ABCD whose all sides
are equal to 4.5 cm and one diagonal, say AC =6 cm. To draw this, we follow
the following steps.
Steps of Construction:

Step I Draw AC = 6 cmn.

Step11 With A as centre and radius AB =

4.5 cm, draw an arc.

Step IIl With C as centre and radius CB=4.5 cm, draw an are intersecting the arc

drawn in step II at B.
Step IV With A as centre and radius AD =
4.5 cm, draw an arc on the side of AC
opposite to that of B.
Step V With C as centre and radius CD = 4.5 cm, draw another arc intersecting the
arc drauwn in step IV at D.
Step VI doin AB, BC, CD and AD to obtain
the required rhombus.
 Mathematics for
18.4
ClassVII

45 cm

6 cm

4.5 cm sv wo
R

Fig.18.4
EXERCISE 18.1
2.Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 44 cm, BC = 4 cm, CD = 64
DA =3.8 cm and BD = 6.6 cm. Cm,
2 . Construct a quadrilateral ABCD such that AB = BC =5.5 cm, CD = 4 em, DA = 63.
and AC=9.4 cm. Measure BD.= 564o cm
Construct a quadrilateral XYZW in which XY = 5 em, YZ = 6 em, ZW= 7 cm, WX= 8
and XZ = 9 cm. Cm

A. Construct a parallelogram PQRS such that PQ= 5.2 cm, PR =6.8 cm and QS 8.2 cmm. =

5.Construct a rhombus with side 6 cm and one

diagonal 8 cm. Measure the other
diagonal.
&Construct a kite ABCD in which AB =
4 cm, BC =
4.9 cm and AC 7.2 cm.
=

7Construct, if possible, a quadrilateral ABCD given AB = 6 em, BC 3.7 cm, CD =5.7 cm,
=

AD =5.5 cm and BD =
6.1 cm. Give for not
cannot.
reasons being able to construct it, if
you
8. Construct, if possible, a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB 6
CD 3 cm, AD 5.5 cm cm, BC =7 cm, =

=
and AC =11 em. Give reasons for not being able to
you cannot. (Not possible, because in construct, if
triangle ACD, AD + CD < AC).
18.2.2 CONSTRUCTING A QUADRILATERAL WHEN ITS THREE SIDES AND THE TWNO
DIAGONALS ARE GIVEN
Similar to the
previous sub-section, in this sub-section also we
into two
conveniently constructible triangles as is illustrated in thedivide the quadrilateral
following examples.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example1 Construct
quadrilateral ABCD in which AB =5.5
a
CD=6.5 cm, AC 6.5 cm and
=
BD 7.1 cm. =
cm, AD=4.4 C
Solution Pirst we draw a
rough sketch of quadrilateral ABCD. It
rough sketch that we have is evident from tne
sufficient data to draw
triangles ADC and ABD
 a lG e o m e y( O O o u U O I S

18.5

6.5 cm

6.5 cm
7.1 cm
5.5 cm
Fig. 18.5
follow
cllow the
the folle
following steps to
Wow, w e construct the required quadrilateral.
S e p so fC o n s t r u c t i o n

Ieps

Draw AC =6.5 cm.

lep
With A as centre and radius AD =4.4
cm, draw an arc.
With C as centre and radius CD =6.5 cm, draw an arc to tntersect
drawn in step II at D.
With A as centre and radius AB =5.5 cm. draw an arc on the side of A

opposite to that of D.
tBE
With centre and radius BD =7.1 cm, draw another
D as arc to intersect
Step_
arc drawn in step IVat B.
Join AD, CD, AB and CB to obtain the required quadrilateral.
Sten_V

6.5 cm

6.5 cm

5.5 cm

Fig. 18.6
cmn,
BC 2.5 cm, CD =4
=5.4
=
which AB cm,
Example 2 Construot a quadrilateral in
cm.
cm and BD =5 ABCD that w e have
AC =6.5
sketch of quadrilateral
from the rough with BC as
Solution It is evident
of triangles ABC and BCD,
sufficient data for
the construction
common side. D

4cm
5 cm

6.5cm

5.4 cm
A Fiq. 18.7
 18
Mathematica for
Class VI
So, we follow the following steps of construction:
Steps of construction:
Step I Draw AB=5.4 cm.

Step II With A as centre and radius AC=6.5 cm, draw an arc.

4 cm

2.5 cm

5.4 cm

Fig. 18.8

Step III With B centre and radius

as BC=2.5 cm, draw an arc to cut the are
drawn in
step II at C.

Step V With B as centre and radius BD = 5 cm, draw an arc.

Step V With C as centre and radius CD =4 cm draw another arc cutting the anre
drawn in previous step at D.
Step VI Join BC, CD and AD to get the required quadrilateral.

EXERCISE 18.2
XConstruct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB =
3.8 cm, BC =
3.0 cm, AD =
2.3 em,
AC=4.5 cm and BD =3.8 cm.
Constructa quadrilateral ABCD in which BC 7.5 cm, AC =AD =6 cm, CD
BD =10 cm.
=
=5 cm and
Z Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, when AB = 3 cm, CD = 3 cm, DA = 7.5 cm, AC =8 cm
and BD = 4 cm.
4. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD given AD 3.5 cm, BC
=
=2.5 cm, CD =
4.1 cm, AC 7.3=

cm and BD =3.2 cm.

Construct a quadrilateral ABCD given AD =5 cm, AB = 5.5 cm, BC = 2.5 cm, AC =7.1 cm
and BD = 8 cm.
$. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which BC = 4 cm, CA = 5.6 cm, AD = 4.5 cm, CD =
cm and BD =6.5 cm.

18.2.3 CONSTRUCTING A QUADRILATERAL WHEN ITS FOUR SIDES AND

ONE ANGLE ARE GIVEN
Following examples will illustrate the procedure of construction.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1 Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB =2.7 cm, BC =3.5
CD =4 cm, AD =6 cm and 2B = 90°.
Solution Here, four sides and one angle are given. We first draw the rough sketch
shown' in Fig. 18.9. It is evident from the rough sketch that in AABC,
sides and the included angle are given. So, we first construct AABC.
NoW
 To.

also be
a /G e o m e t r y ( C o n s t r u c t i o n s ) c
C an
ACD
PracticalGe0metr
are given.
given. So, AACD
A
steps.
and CD following
AABC and AD the
is known from follow
AC quadrilateral ABCD, we

drawn. Thus, to draw the

D

4cm

90°
2.7 cm 3
A
Fig. 18.9

S t e p so f C o n s t r u c t i o n :

cm.
Draw AB =2.7
Sep Construct
2ABX = 90° cm along BA
3.5, cut off BC =3.5
Step a s centre
and radius BC =

With B
Step Join AC.
draw a n arc.
StepIY centre and radius AD
= 6 Ccm d r a w n in
to cut the
arc
With A as
an arc
Step_V draw
CD= 4 cm
With C as centre and radius
StepV step Vat D.
AD.
Join CD and

4 cm X

2.7.cm B

Fig. 18.10

quadrilateral.
is the required
obtained 4.4 cm,
BC=4.1 cm, CD
=

The quadrilateral
ABCD so
gven AB =5.6 cm,
Construct a quadrilateral ABCD
EXample2 =75°.
cm and 2A and write down its
AD =3.3 required quadrilateral
a rough sketch of the can construction of requiréd
Solution We first draw We divide the
dimensions along the sides of A ABD
(ii) Construction
(ii) of
Construction of
Construction
into two parts ().
quadrilateral

ABCD.
 18.8 Mathematics for Class VI|
The following steps are used to construct the required quadrilateral.

4.4cm
D

75°
A 5.6 cm
Fig. 18.11
Steps of Construction:
Step Draw AB =5.6 cm.

StepI1 Construct LBAX = 75°.

StepI1I With A as centre and radius AD=3.3 cm, cut off AD =3.3 cm along AX

Step IV Join BD.

Step V With D as centre and radius DC = 4.4 cm, draw an arc.

Step VI With B as centre and radius BC = 4.1 cm, draw an are to cut the are drawn in
step Vat C.
Join BC, CD to obtain the required quadrilateral ABCD.

4.4 Cm

75
A 5.6 cm B

Fig. 18.12

EXERCISE 18.3
Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 3.8 cm, BC = 3.4 cm, CD 4.5 cm,
AD=5 cm and 2B = 80°.
Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, given that AB = 8 cm, BC = 8 cm, CD =10 cm,
AD =10 cm and LA = 45°.
3. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 7.7 cm, BC = 6.8 em, CD = 5.1 cm,

AD =3.6 cm and 2C=120°.

4. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB BC = 3 cm, AD = CD = 5 cm and
LB =120°.
5. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 2.8 cm, BC = 3.1 cm, CD = 2.6 cm and
DA =3.3 cm and ZA = 60°.
6. Construet a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = BC = 6 cm, AD = DC = 4.5 cm and
LB 120
PracticalGeometry(Constructions)
18.9
ANGLES UCTION
2.4 CONSTR ARE GIVEN
OF AQUADRILATERAL wHEN ITS THREE SIDEs AND THEIR INCLUDED
Following e x a m p l e s will illustrate the
procedure.
le 1Construct
Example 1 C o n s t r u a
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
quadrilateral
ABCD in which AB =3.6 Cm, 5 CIm,
CD =5 cm, ZB
=125° and 2C BUo
We first draw the =80.
Solution
rough sketch of the quadrilateral and indicate on it tne
data as shown in Fig. 18.13.

5 cm

80

125°
3.6 cm B

Fig. 18.13
Because in each
We observe that the data is sufficient to draw triangles BCA and BCD.
case two sides and the included angle are given.
The side BC is common to both. This
suggests us the following steps of construction.
Steps of Construction:
Draw BC =5.5 cm.
StepI At B construct ZXBC = 125°.
Step11 At C construct 2YCB = 80°, such that X and Y are on the same side of BC
Step II BX at A.
With B centre and radius AB =3.6 cm, draw an arc to intersect
Step IV as

centre and radius CD =

5 cm, draw an are to intersect
CY at D.
Step V With C as

125
80

B
Fig. 18.14
18.10 Mathematics for Class VI
Step V1 Join AD.
The quadrilateral ABCD so obtained is the required quadrilateral.
Example 2 Construct a quadrilateral ABCD given AB =6.1 cm, AD =4 cm, BC =2.5
cm, 2A =60° and B 85.
Solution First we draw the rough sketch of quadrilateral ABCD and indicate the data
on it as shown in Fig. 18.15. We observe that the given data is sufficient to
construct AABC and AABD. So, we follow the following steps of construc-
tion.

60 85
A 5.1 cm B
Fig. 18.15
Steps of Construction:
Step I Draw AB=5.1 cm.
StepI Construct LXAB =60° at A.
StepIII With A as centre and radius AD =4 cnm, cut off AD =4 cm along AX.
Construct LABY = 85° at B.
Step V
Step V With B as centre and radius BC =2.5 cm, cut off BC =2.5 cm along BY.
Step VI Join CD.

60° 85

Fig. 18.16
The quadrilateral ABCD obtained is the
so required quadrilateral.
EXERCISE 18.4
1. Construet a quadrilateralABCD, in which AB = 6 cm, BC = 4 cm, CD = 4 cm, ZB-95°
and 2C=90°.
2. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, where AB 4.2 cm, BC = 3.6 em, CD = 4.8 cm,
LB=30° and 2C = 150.
3. Construct a quadrilateral PQRS, in hich PQ = 8.5 em, QR = 2.5 cm, RS = 4.1 cm,
2Q=75° and 2R=120°.
 al Geometry(Constructions)
Prgctical
Geometry 18.11

Const quadrilateral ABCD given BC

ctruct
LD=100* and 2C =95.
a
=
6.6 cm, CD = AD
cm, AD
4.4cm, == 5.6
0
cm and

struct a quadrilateral
ABCD, in which AD 3.5 cm,, AB = 4.4 cm, BC
= 4.7 cm,
A125° and ZB =120
6.
struct a quadrilateral PQRS, in which LQ=45°, LR =90; QR =5 cm, PQ = 9 cm
C o n s t r u c t

and Rs=7 cm.

1. Construct
ct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = BC =3 cm, ADD =5 cm, ZA =90° and
LB=105

quadrilateral
Construct a quadr BDEF, where DE = 4.5 cm, EF =3.5 cm, FB = 6.5 cm,
R 5 0 and 2E =100°.

18.2.5 CONcONSTRUCTING A QUADRILATERAL WHEN ITS THREE ANGLES AND THEIR TWo
15
NCLUDED SIDES ARE GIVEN
gallowing examples will illustrate the procedure of construction.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example
Bxample 1 Cons
Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, where AB =3.5 cm, BC =6.5 cm, LA=75,
LB 105° and 2C=120.
Solution Let us draw a rough sketch of the required quadrilateral and write down the
given data as shown in Fig. 18.17.

120 C

75 105
A 3.5 Cm B

Fig. 18.17
We follow
now
following steps to construct the required quadrilateral.
Steps of Construction.:
SMepI Draw AB=3.5 cm.
StepII Draw 2XAB = 75° at A and 2ABY = 105°.
Step1I With B as centre and radius BC=6.5 cm, draw an arc to intersect BY at C.
StepIV At C draw ZBCZ =120° such that CZ meets
AX at D.
 18.12 Mathematics for Class VII
AX

120

6.5cm

5
105
A 3.5cm B

Fig. 18.18
The quadrilateral ABCD so obtained is the required quadrilateral.
Example 2 Construct a quadrilateral ABCD given AB=5.3 em, AD=2.9 cm, 2A =70
LB =95°, LC=85°
Solution We know that the sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360.
LA+LB+ 2C+LD = 360°
70°+95+85°+2D = 360°
250+2D =360
LD =360°-250° 110°

110
5
V

70 95

A
5.3 cm

Fig.18.19
Let us draw a rough sketch of the required quadrilateral ABCD and write down the given
data as shown in Fig. 18.19.
We now follow the following steps of construction to construct the required quadrilateral.
Steps of Construction:
Step I Draw AB 5.3 cm.
Step I AtA draw 2XAB
=70°.
StepIlI With A as centre and radius AD=2.9 cm draw an arc to cut AX at D.
Step IV At D draw LADY =110°.

Step At Bdraw LZBA =

95° so that ZB intersects YD at C.
Tactica/Geometry (Constructions) 18.13

Fig.18.20
quadrilateral ABCD so obtained is the required quadrilateral.
The q u a d r i l a t

EXERCISE 18.5
Construct quadrilateral ABCD given that AB
a =
4 cm, BC 3 cm, LA =
75°, ZB =80
1
and 2C=120°.

9. Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, where AB = 5.5 em, BC =3.7 cm, ZA =60°, ZB=105
and 4D=90°

3 Construct quadrilateral
a
PQRS, where PQ =3.5 cm, QR = 6.5 cm, 2P=LR =103" and
S=75.

4. Constructquadrilateral ABCD when BC 5.5 cm, CD 4.1 cm, ZA 70°, ZB =110°

a = = =

and 2D=85
BC 5.7 cm
. Construet a quadrilateral ABCD, where <A =65°, 4B 105, 4C =75°,
=
=

and CD = 6.8 cm.

6. Construct a quadrilateral PQRS, in which PQ = 4 cm, QR =5 cm, ZP=50, 2Q=110°

and R = 70°.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. To construct a quadrilateral uniquely, it is necessary to have the knowledge of at least five
independent elements.
in the
2. Data about five elements of a quadrilateral are sufficient to construct a quadrilateral
following cases
) 4 sides and 1 diagonal;
(i) 3 sides and both diagonals;
(iil) 4 sides and 1 angle;
(iv) 3 sides and 2 included angles;
() 3 angles and their 2 included sides.
3. Data about five parts of a quadrilateral in order to be sufficient must also satisfy (i) the triangle
wherever applicable.
inequality (i) angle sum property ofa triangle,
4. It is possible to construct a quadrilateral with the sufficient data (other than five simple cases),
where less than five parts but some other relations between them are given.
and indicate
6. In all cases, it is convenient andhelpful to draw rough sketch of the quadrilateral
the data on it. This suggests the steps ofconstruction.