Geometry

Construction
 Construction 1
Construct a Segment Congruent to a Given Segment.

Given This is our compass.

Procedure
A B
1. Use a straightedge to draw a line. Call it l.
Construct: XY = AB
2. Choose any point on l and label it X.
Don’t change your radius!

l 3. Set your compass for radius AB and

X Y make a mark on the line where B lies.
Then, move your compass to line l and
set your pointer on X. Make a mark on
the line and label it Y.
 Construction 2
Construct an Angle Congruent to a Given Angle

Given Procedure
A
1) Draw a ray. Label it RY.
D
2) Using B as center and any radius, draw an arc
intersecting BA and BC. Label the points of
B intersection D and E.
E C
3) Using R as center and the SAME RADIUS as in
Construct Step 2, draw an arc intersecting RY. Label point E2
the point where the arc intersects RY
D2 4) Measure the arc from D to E.

5) Move the pointer to E2 and make an arc that

R
that intersects the blue arc to get point D2
E2 Y
6) Draw a ray from R through D2
 Construction 3
How do I construct a Bisector of a given angle?

Given
A Z
X
B Y C
Procedure
1. Using B as center and any radius, draw and arc that
intersects BA at X and BC at point Y.
2. Using X as center and a suitable radius, draw and arc.
Using Y as center and the same radius, draw an arc that
intersects the arc with center X at point Z.
3. Draw BZ.
 Construction 4
Bisect a Line w/ a Compass
 Given line AB
 With points A & B as centers and any radius greater than ½
of AB, draw arcs to intersect, creating points C & D
 Draw line EF through points C and D
 Construction 5
How do I Construct a Perpendicular Bisector to a Given
Segment?
X

Given
A B

Procedure 1. Using any radius greater than 1/2 AB, draw four arcs of
equal radii, two with center A and two with center B.
Label the points of intersection X and Y.
2. Draw XY
 Construction 6
How do I Construct a Perpendicular Bisector
to a Given Segment at a Given Point?

C
Given X Y
k

Procedure 1. Using C as center and any radius, draw arcs intersecting k at X and Y.

2. Using X as center and any radius greater than CX, draw an arc.
Using Y as center and the same radius, draw and arc
intersecting the arc with center X at Z.
3. Draw CZ.
Construction 7
How do I construct a perpendicular bisector to a given
segment at a given point outside the line?

Given k
X Y

Procedure 1. Using P as center, draw two arcs of equal radii that

intersect k at points X and Y.
2. Using X and Y as centers and a suitable radius, draw
arcs that intersect at a point Z.
3. Draw PZ.
 Construction 8
How do I construct a line parallel to a given line through a
given point?

P 1 l

Given k
A B

Procedure 1. Let A and B be two points on line k. Draw PA.

2. At P, construct <1 so that <1 and <PAB are congruent

corresponding angles. Let l be the line containing the
ray you just constructed.
 Construction 9
Given a point on a circle, construct the tangent to the circle
at the given point .
PROCEDURE
1) Draw Ray OA
Given: Point A on circle O.
2) Construct a perpendicular
5 3 through OA at point A.
X
3) Draw tangent line XY
2 1

O Construct arcs
P A Q Now, using the3same
& 4 using point Q as
radius,
the center and
construct arcsany
5 &suitable
6 using radius
point P
(keep
as thethis radius)
Construct
center arcs 1 and
so that 2 using
they intersect
Y
6 4 any
arcs 3&suitable
4 to getradius and
points X&A as
Y the
center
 Construction 10
Given a point outside a. circle, construct a tangent to the
circle from the given point
PROCEDURE
Given: point A not on circle O 1) Draw OA.

X 3 1 2) Find the midpoint M of OA

(perpendicular bisector of OA)
3) Construct a 2nd circle with center M
and radius MA
O M
A 4) So you get points of tangency at X
Construct
Construct arcs
& Y wherearcs3&
1&
the 42using
arcsusingthe
a the red
intersect
suitable samegreater
radius
circle radius than ½AO
Y (greater
( keep this radiusthan ½AO)
for the next step)
4 2
You get arcs 5 & 6
5) Draw tangents AX & AY
 Construction 11
Given a triangle construct the circumscribed circle.

Given: Triangle ABC PROCEDURE:

7
B 6 1) Construct the perpendicular bisectors of
3 1 the sides of the triangle and label the point of
intersection F.
Bisect
From segment
point B construct
BC; Usingarcsa radius
7&8
2) Set your compass pointer to
greater
and drawthana line
1/2BC connecting
from point
theC
point F and the radius to measure
construct
intersections
FC. arcs of
5 &the6 arcs
F radius 3) Draw the circle with center F , that
A C passes through the vertices A, B, & C
8 Now construct the perpendicular bisector of
5 segment AB andAC;
Bisect segment labelUsing
point aF,radius
wheregreater
the 3 lines
From point A construct arcs 3 & 4 and draw a
meet.
than 1/2AC from point C construct arcs 1 & 2
line connecting the intersections of the arcs
4 2
 Construction 12
Given a triangle construct the inscribed circle.

Given: Triangle ABC PROCEDURE

B 1) Construct the angle bisectors of
angles A, B, & C, to get a point of
intersection and call it F
2) Construct a perpendicular to side AC
from point F, and label this point G.
3) Put your pointer on point F and set
F your radius to FG.
4) Draw the circle using F as the center
and it should be tangent to all the
C sides of the triangle.
A G
X Y
 Construction 13
Given a segment, divide the Remember you made 3
segment into a given number of because you are dividing
congruent parts. by 3, but if you wanted to
divide by, say, 6 you would
Given: Segment AB
have to make 6 congruent
PROCEDURE:
Divide AB into 3 congruent parts. parts on the ray and so on
A C D Bfor1)7,8,9…
Construct ANY RAY from point A
that’s not AB
2) Construct 3 congruent segments
X on the ray using ANY RADIUS
starting from point A. Label the new
points X, Y, & Z
Y
So AC=CD=DB 1 3) Draw segment ZB and copy the
Use any suitable radius that
Three congruent angle AZB ( 1) to vertices X & Y
will give some distance Z
betweenRemember segments
the points keep the 4) Draw the the rays from X & Y, they
same radius!! should be parallel to the segment ZB
and divide AB into 3 congruent parts.
 Construction 14
Given three segments construct a fourth segment (x) so that the four segments
are in proportion.

Given: a Construct: segment x such that

b
a b
c
c x
b x
PROCEDURE:
a 1) Using your straight edge construct an
1 acute angle of any measure.
2) On the lower ray construct “a” and
c then “c “ from the end of “a”.
3) On the upper ray construct “b” and then
connect the ends of “a & b”
4) Next copy angle 1 at the end of “c” and
then construct the parallel line
 Construction 15
Given 2 segments construct their geometric mean.
Mark off 2 arcs from Y.
Given: a Keep the segment
Construct: same radius and
x such mark off
that:
b Make2 sure
moreto setfrom
arcs your
a X,radius tox more
crossing the
thanfirst
1/2NMtwo.then:
x b
Mark off 2 arcs from M. Keep the same
Mark off 2 equal distances on either
9 7 3 The
1 side radius
orange and
segment
of point mark
is x any
O using theoffgeometric
2 more arcs from N,
PROCEDURE:
radius and
X Q mean
Kthen crossing
between thethe
bisect this newfirst
lengths two.
1) of
segment
Draw the perpendicular
Drawa and b and mark off a+b.
a ray
bisector PQ
6 5 2) Bisect a+b (XY) and label point M.
X through
(I used point
the distance
Y
O
from O to M,
M 3) Construct the circle with center M and
N a O but
b remember any radius will do)
radius = MY (or MX)

8 10 2 4 4) Construct a perpendicular where

segment “a” meets segment “b” (point
P L O)
 Construction 16
Reguler Polygon

Draw a circle (larger than your protractor) and use it to construct a

regular pentagon.
Solution: 360 ÷ 5 = 72
We need dots at 0,
. 72, 144, 216 and
288.
. .
.

. .
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
 Construction 16
Reguler Pentagon
y
‘Construction’ means one can only
draw lines using the following
x2  y2  R2
equipment
 A straight edge
 A compass

O Step x1
Draw a circle and divide it
R
vertically and horizontally to
form the y and x axes.

Use the line bisection method

to find the x axis, given the y axis.
 y
Step 2
Construct a circle with half
x2  y2  R2 the radius of the larger
circle. Find the centre of
this circle by bisecting the
12 R,0 OX line as indicated.
O X x
R

2
R 1 2
x  R   y     4 R
1
2
2 2

2
 y y  2x  R

x2  y2  R2 R

a, b  1
2
R
12 R,0 y  2x  c
O x
0  2 12 R   c  c   R
R
 y  2x  R

0, R 
x  12 R 2  y 2  14 R 2
Step 3. Draw a line from the base of the larger circle and through the centre of the
smaller circle. Find where this crosses the upper edge of the smaller circle.
 y y  2x  R

x2  y2  R2
k

a, b  K
O
12 R,0
x
R k
x 2  y  R   k 2
2

0, R  Step 4. Draw an arc of a

x  12 R 2  y 2  14 R 2
large circle with radius from
the base of the first circle to
the small circle crossing
point found in step 3. Find
position K where this
crosses the original circle.
y Step 5

Draw a straight line from the

intersection of the y axis and
the original circle and the
K crossing point K found in
step 4. This is an edge of a
O x regular pentagon! Use a
k compass
to step round the original
circle to find the other three
points.

To minimize the effects of

drawing errors, work out the
lower vertices from the left
and right large circular arc
intersections rather than step
round using a compass from
one side only.
 y y  2x  R
a 2  b  R   k 2
2

x2  y2  R2 a, b  b  2a  R
a  12 R 2  b 2  14 R 2
a, b  a 2  2a   k 2
2

O 12 R,0 k a 5
x
R k
a  12 R 2  2a  R 2  14 R 2
a 2  aR  14 R 2  4a 2  4aR  R 2  1
4
R2
5a 2  5aR  R 2  0
0, R  25 R 2  20 R 2
5R 
a 
10
x  12 R 2  y 2  14 R 2 5 5 
 a  R 
 is the –ve
 10  solution

5 5 5
x 2  y  R  k 2
2
k  R
10
k 

1
2

R 1 5 
 
 y 360 o
0, R    72 o
5
 180    2
180 o  72 o
   54 o
 2

O x
54 o
Circle theorem
k

90 o
2R
0, R 
k
Now let’s consider the regular pentagon separately.
36 o
To demonstrate why the construction works we need
2 R sin 54 o  k
an expression for the triangle side k, derived only from
properties of the regular pentagon. i.e. independent of the 2 R cos 36 o  k
construction. If everything agrees then the construction works!
 By properties of a
y 0, R  54 o
regular pentagon

90 o
2R

O x k

k 36 o
2 R sin 54 o  k
2 R cos 36o  k

0, R 
By equating k we find
1 5
cos 36 o  sin 54 o   0.809
4
k which indeed is the case!
k 1
2
R 1 5 
k 1 5
From the construction Note R  2 is the GOLDEN RATIO
 a b

The a a
Golden Ratio

a ab 1
   1
Typically take a > b so
Define b a 
‘Golden rectangle’ GOLDEN RATIO
by ratio of sides   2   1  0 1 5
a/b   1.618
1 5 2
 
2
 The construction of the regular pentagon therefore gives us another exact right
angled triangle relationship
1 5
cos 36 o 
o w  1 10  2 5 4
54 2
sin 36 o  1
4 10  2 5
90o cos 54 o  1
10  2 5
4
2
1 5
sin 54 o 
1 5 2
2
36 o 10  2 5
tan 36 o 
1 5
1 5
From 4
1  5  2

 w2
tan 54 o 
4 10  2 5
Pythagoras’
theorem
w 4
1  5  2

 4
1 2 5  5
 1
16  1  2 5  5
2
4 4
w 1
2 10  2 5
 Construction 17
Construct a Regular Hexagon
given distance Across Corners (Inscribed)

 Given distance AB across the corners, draw a circle with AB

as the diameter

 With A and B as centers and the

C D
same radius, draw arcs to intersect
the circle at points C, D, E, and F

 Connect the points to complete the A B

hexagon

F E
 Construction 17
Regular Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe circumscribing
circle
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon
Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw line from center.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe arc at same
radius as circle.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe a second arc at
same radius as circle.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe a third arc at
same radius as circle.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe a forth arc at
same radius as circle.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Scribe a fifth arc at same
radius as circle.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a
Regular Hexagon
Draw lines
connecting points
as shown.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw lines connecting
points as shown.
Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw lines connecting
points as shown.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw lines connecting
points as shown.
 Construction 17
Reguler Hexagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw lines connecting
points as shown.
 Construction 18
Reguler Pentagon

Construct a Regular
Hexagon
Draw lines connecting
points as shown.

Hexagon Completed !
Star Heptagon
Heptagonal Tilling
Heptagon in Natural Structures
Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon

 A heptagon is a seven-sided
polygon.
 It is also sometimes called a
septagon, though this usage
mixes a Latin prefix sept-
(derived from septua-, meaning
"seven") with the Greek suffix -
gon (from gonia, meaning
"angle"), and is therefore not
recommended
Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon

Regular heptagon is
not constructible
using classical
techniques
 Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon
 Dixon (1991) gives constructions
for several angles very close to
360/7. While the angle
subtended by a side is 360/7 =
51,428571
 Dixon gives constructions
containing angles
 Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon

1. A decent approximation for

practical use with an error
of ≈ 0.2% is shown in the
drawing.
2. Let A lie on the
circumference of the
circumcircle.
3. Draw arc BOC. Then gives an
approximation for the edge
of the heptagon
Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon

1. Find A, a random point on the

circle. Find the M, the midpoint
of OA.
2. Draw a perpendicular line
through M. It intersects circle O
at B.
3. Draw a circle at B (cyan) so that
it crosses M. Circle B intersects
circle O at two points of the
heptagon.
4. You can use them to find the rest
 Construction 18
Reguler Heptagon
1. Draw circle O. Draw AB, the diameter of circle
O.
2. Divide AB into n number of parts (n being the
number of sides , in this case 7!).
3. Draw two circles, one at A and one at B (cyan),
each with radius AB. They intersect at C.
4. Point D is the second point from the left of the
diameter.
5. Draw a line from C to D, extending it all the
way to the original circle, where it intersects at
E.
6. A and E are two points of the heptagon. Use
them to find the rest.
7. You can use this approximate any n-gon!