Chapter three

Geometry
Construction

By: Assistant Professor Masihullah Ahmadi

Point
A point represents a location in space or on a drawing , and
has no width, height, or depth.
A point is represented by the intersection of two lines
Point

Line
Straight line is the shortest distance between two points

Straight line
Indefinite length

Straight line
Definite length
Horizontal line Vertical line

Parallel lines Perpendicular lines

Inclined line

Parallel Inclined lines Parallel Inclined lines

 Function of the Tools
Tools Shape to be drawn

1. T-square
Straight line
2. Triangles
3. Compass
Arc, Circle
4. Circle template

4. Irregular curve Curves

 Draw a Horizontal Line
1. Press the T-square head against the left edge of the table.

2. Smooth the blade to the right.

 Draw a Horizontal Line
3. Lean the pencil at an angle about 60o with the paper in
the direction of the line and slightly “toed in”.
4. Draw the line from left to right while rotating the pencil
slowly.
 Draw a Vertical Line
1. Set T-square as before. Place any triangle on T-square edge.

2. Slide your left hand to hold both T-square and triangle in

position.
 Draw a Vertical Line
3. Lean the pencil to the triangle.
4. Draw the line upward while rotating the pencil slowly.
 Draw a line at 45o with horizontal
1. Place 45o triangle on the T-square edge and press them
firmly against the paper.

2. Draw the line in the direction as shown below.

 Draw a line at angle 30o and 60o
1. Place 30o-60o triangle on the T-square edge and press
them firmly against the paper.

2. Draw the line in the direction as shown below.

Draw the lines at 15o increment

0 deg.
15 deg. = 30 + 45 deg
30 deg.
45 deg. Already
demonstrated.
60 deg.
75 deg. = 30 + 45 deg
90 deg. Already
demonstrated.
Draw the line passing through two given
points
1. Place the pencil tip at one of the points.

2. Place the triangle against the pencil tip.

3. Swing the triangle around the pencil tip

until its edge align with the second point.
4. Draw a line.
A
Given

B
A

B
 Using the Compass
1. Locate the center of the circle by two intersecting lines.

2. Adjust the distance between needle and lead to a

distance equal to radius of the circle.

3. Set the needle point at center.

 Using the Compass
4. Start circle. Apply enough pressure to the needle, holding
compass handle between thumb and index fingers.

5. Complete circle. Revolve handle clockwise.

 Straight Line by hand
1. Hold the pencil naturally.

2. Spot the beginning and end points.

3. Swing the pencil back and forth between the points, barely
touching the paper until the direction is clearly established.

4. Draw the line firmly with a free and easy wrist-and-arm

motion
Horizontal line Vertical line
Nearly vertical
inclined line

Nearly horizontal
inclined line
 Small Circle
Method 1 : Starting with a square
1. Lightly sketching the square and marking the mid-points.

2. Draw light diagonals and mark the estimated radius.

3. Draw the circle through the eight points.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

 Small Circle
Method 2 : Starting with center line
1. Lightly draw a center line.

2. Add light radial lines and mark the estimated radius.

3. Sketch the full circle.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

 Large Circle
1. Place the little finger (or pencil’ s tip) at the center as a
pivot, and set the pencil point at the radius-distance from
the center.
2. Hold the hand in this position and rotate the paper.
 Arc
Method 1 : Starting with a square

Method 2 : Starting with a center line

Instrument Sketching
 To Bisect a Line
1. Swing two arcs of any radius greater than half-length of
the line with the centers at the ends of the line.
2. Join the intersection points of the arcs with a line.

3. Locate the midpoint.

Given A

A r1
r1

B
B

(not to scale)
 To Bisect an Angle
1. Swing an arc of any radius whose centers at the vertex.

2. Swing the arcs of any radius from the intersection

points between the previous arc and the lines.
3. Draw the line.
A
(not to scale)
Given

A
B
r1 r2
B
r2
C C
To draw the line parallel to a given line
and passes through a given point
Given

+C
To draw the line parallel to a given line
and passes through a given point
Given

+C

Repeat
To draw the line parallel to a given line
with a specified distance
Given distance = r

r
To draw the line parallel to a given line
with a specified distance
Given distance = r

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Revolve method

+C
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Revolve method

+C

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Adjacent-sides method

+C
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Adjacent-sides method

+C

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Using Compass

+
C
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line at a given point
Using Compass

r2

D
r2
r1
A

+
r2 > r 1 C

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Adjacent-sides method

+C
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Adjacent-sides method

+C

Repeat
To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Using compass
+ C
 To draw the line perpendicular to a
given line from a point not on the line
Using compass
+ C
r2
D
r2

A
r1

B
Note:
You can also use revolve method. How ? Try by yourself !!!
Repeat
To draw a line making 15o with a given
line and pass through a given point.
Given

C
+
To draw a line making 15o with a given
line and pass through a given point.
Given

C
+
To draw a line making 30o with a given
line and pass through a given point.
Given

C
+
To draw a line making 75o with a given
line and pass through a given point.
Given

C
+
 FILLET AND ROUND

To draw the arc, we must find the location of the center of that arc.

How do we find the center of the arc?

To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two perpendicular lines
Given arc radius r

r
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two perpendicular lines
Given arc radius r

center of the arc

Starting point

Ending point
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two lines
Given arc radius r

r
r
+
+
To draw an arc of given radius tangent
to two lines
Given arc radius r

T.P.1
T.P.2
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I

Example
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I
Given
Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

+
+
C1 C2
To draw a circle tangent to two circles I
Given
Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

center of the arc R + R2

R + R1 C
R
R2
R1
+
+
C1 C2

Repeat
To draw a circle tangent to two circles II
Given
Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

R
R2
R1
+ +
C1 C2

R – R1 C R – R2

Repeat
To draw a circle tangent to two circles III
Given
Two circles and the radius of the third circle = R

R2
R1
+ C2
C1 +

R – R1

C R + R2
Given a point outside a circle, construct
a tangent to the circle from the given
point.
Given: point A not on circle O PROCEDURE:

X 3 1 1) Draw OA.
2) Find the midpoint M of OA
(perpendicular bisector of OA)
3) Construct a 2nd circle with center M
O M and radius MA
A
4) So you get points of tangency at
Construct
X & arcs 1& 2 the
Y where using a suitable
arcs intersect the
Construct arcs 3& 4 using the same
radius greater than ½AO
red circle
radius
Y ( keep5)this radius
Draw for theAX
tangents next step)
& AY
4 2 (greater than ½AO)
You get arcs 5 & 6
To draw a tangent to a point A on the
circumference of a circle, center O
Step 1: Join OA and extend the line for a short distance.
Step 2: Erect a perpendicular at point A by the method
shown.
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.
F 3) Put your pointer on point F and
set your radius to FG.
4) Draw the circle using F as the
A C center and it should be tangent to
X G Y
all the sides of the triangle.
Common external tangent to 2 circles
Given circles are with radii R1 and R2 and centers O and P respectively
Draw a circle with radius R1-R2 and center O
Draw a circle with dia. OP cutting the circle with radius R1-R2 at T
Draw a line OT extended cutting the circle with radius R1 at A
Draw a line PB parallel to OA with B lying on the circumference of circle with radius R2
Line AB is the required tangent

R2
R1 A
B
T

O P
R1-R2

NOTE: PT is a tangent from

point P to the circle with
radius R1-R2
To draw a Triangle
Given:

Given the sides A, B,

and C, as shown in
Figure 4.29a,
Step 1. Draw one side,
as C, in the desired
position, and draw an
arc with radius equal to
side A.
Step 2. Lightly draw an
arc with radius equal to
side B.
Step 3. Draw sides A
and B from the
intersection of the arcs,
as shown.
To draw a Square
Given:
Side length AB
4

D C

2 3

1 B
A
To draw a pentagon

I H
D

E
A B

F C G

Lewinter & Widulski The Saga of Mathematics 61

To draw a pentagon

I D H

E
A B

F C G

Lewinter & Widulski The Saga of Mathematics 62

To draw a Pentagon
Given:

Step 1. Bisect radius OD

at C (Figure 4.35b).
Step 2. Use C as the
center and CA as the
radius to lightly draw arc
AE. With A as center and
AE as radius, draw arc EB
(Figure 4.35c).
Step 3. Draw line AB, then
measure off distances AB
around the circumference
of the circle. Draw the
sides of the pentagon
through these points
(Figure 4.35d).
To draw a Hexagon

Method 1: Method 2:

C B

O A
.
D

E F
To draw a Heptagon (Method 1)
Given Side length and Number of sides(7)

3 4
2 5

1 6
0 7

A B
To draw a Heptagon (Method 2)
Given Side length and Number of sides(7)

Step 1. 1 Draw the given length

of one side AB, and with radius AB
describe a semi circle.
2 Divide the semi-circle into seven
equal angles, using a protractor,
and through the second division
from the left join line A2.
3 Draw radial lines from A
through points 3, 4, 5, and 6.
4 With radius AB and centre on
point 2, describe an arc to meet
the extension of line A3, shown
here as point F.
5 Repeat with radius AB and
centre F to meet the extension of
line A4 at E.
To draw an Octagon
 Circle

Circle

Double cone Plane horizontally

cuts the cone
 Ellipse

Ellipse

Plane cuts the cone with angle

Double cone larger than cone angle
 Parabola

Parabola
Plane cuts the cone with
Double cone angle equal to cone angle
 Hyperbola

Hyperbola

Plane cuts the cone

Double cone vertically
 Ellipse
It is a locus of a point moving in a plane such that the SUM of it’s distances from TWO
fixed points always remains constant.
Steps:
1 Draw a rectangle taking major ELLIPSE
and minor axes as sides. BY RECTANGLE METHOD
2. In this rectangle draw both
axes as perpendicular bisectors
of each other..
3. For construction, select upper
left part of rectangle. Divide
vertical small side and horizontal
long side into same number of D 4
4
equal parts.( here divided in four
parts) 3 3
4. Name those as shown..
5. Now join all vertical points 2 2
1,2,3,4, to the upper end of minor
axis. And all horizontal points 1 1
i.e.1,2,3,4 to the lower end of
minor axis. A 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 B
6. Then extend C-1 line upto D-1
and mark that point. Similarly
extend C-2, C-3, C-4 lines up to
D-2, D-3, & D-4 lines.
7. Mark all these points properly
and join all along with ends A
and D in smooth possible curve.
Do similar construction in right C
side part.along with lower half of
the rectangle.Join all points in
smooth curve.
It is required ellipse.
 ELLIPSE
BY RHOMBUS METHOD

STEPS: 2
1. Draw rhombus of given
dimensions.
2. Mark mid points of all sides &
name Those A,B,C,& D
3. Join these points to the ends of A B
smaller diagonals.
4. Mark points 1,2,3,4 as four
centers.
5. Taking 1 as center and 1-A 3 4
radius draw an arc AB.
6. Take 2 as center draw an arc CD.
7. Similarly taking 3 & 4 as centers
and 3-D radius draw arcs DA & BC.
D C

1
 PARABOLA
DIRECTRIX-FOCUS METHOD

PARABOLA
SOLUTION STEPS:
1.Locate center of line, perpendicular to A
AB from point F. This will be initial
point P and also the vertex.
2.Mark 5 mm distance to its right side,
name those points 1,2,3,4 and from P1
those
draw lines parallel to AB.
3.Mark 5 mm distance to its left of P and (VERTEX) V
name it 1. F
4.Take O-1 distance as radius and F as
O 1 2 3 4
center draw an arc ( focus)
cutting first parallel line to AB. Name
upper point P1 and lower point P2.
P2
(FP1=O1)

5.Similarly repeat this process by taking

again 5mm to right and left and locate
P3 P4 . B
6.Join all these points in smooth curve.

It will be the locus of P equidistance

from line AB and fixed point F.
 PARABOLA
METHOD OF TANGENTS

Solution Steps: C
1. Construct triangle as per the given 14
dimensions. 1
2. Divide it’s both sides in to same no.of 13
2
equal parts. 12
3
3. Name the parts in ascending and 11
descending manner, as shown. 4
10
4. Join 1-1, 2-2,3-3 and so on. 5
5. Draw the curve as shown i.e.tangent to 9
6
all these lines. The above all lines being 8
tangents to the curve, it is called method 7
of tangents. 7 8
6
9
5 10
4 11
3 12
2 13
1
14
A B
 HYPERBOLA
DIRECTRIX
FOCUS METHOD
B
STEPS: A
1 .Draw a vertical line AB and point F
50 mm from it.
2 .Divide 50 mm distance in 5 parts. 30mm
3 .Name 2nd part from F as V. It is 20mm
and 30mm from F and AB line resp.
It is first point giving ratio of it’s

45m
distances from F and AB 2/3 i.e 20/30

m
4 Form more points giving same ratio such
as 30/45, 40/60, 50/75 etc.
5.Taking 45,60 and 75mm distances from
(vertex)
V
F ( focus)
line AB, draw three vertical lines to the
V

right side of it. F ( focus) (vertex)

6. Now with 30, 40 and 50mm distances in
compass cut these lines above and below,

m
45m
with F as center.
7. Join these points through V in smooth
curve.
This is required locus of P.It is an ELLIPSE.
30mm

A
B
Problem no 17: Draw Involute of a circle. INVOLUTE OF A CIRCLE
String length is equal to the circumference of circle.
Solution Steps:
1) Point or end P of string AP is exactly
D distance away from A. Means if this
string is wound round the circle, it will
completely cover given circle. B will P2
meet A after winding.
2) Divide D (AP) distance into 8
number of equal parts. P3
3) Divide circle also into 8 number of P1
equal parts.

2 to p
4) Name after A, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. up to 8
3
on D line AP as well as on circle (in to
p
anticlockwise direction).

op
5) To radius C-1, C-2, C-3 up to C-8

1t
draw tangents (from 1,2,3,4,etc to
circle).
4 to p
6) Take distance 1 to P in compass and P4
4
mark it on tangent from point 1 on 3
circle (means one division less than 5
distance AP). 2
7) Name this point P1 6
op
5t

8) Take 2-P distance in compass and 1

mark it on the tangent from point 2. 7 A 8
6 to p

Name it point P2. 7

to P
P5 p P8
9) Similarly take 3 to P, 4 to P, 5 to P up 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
to 7 to P distance in compass and mark P7
on respective tangents and locate P3, P6 D
P4, P5 up to P8 (i.e. A) points and join
them in smooth curve it is an INVOLUTE
of a given circle.
PROBLEM 22: DRAW LOCUS OF A POINT ON THE PERIPHERY OF A CIRCLE CYCLOID
WHICH ROLLS ON STRAIGHT LINE PATH. Take Circle diameter as 50 mm

p4
4
p3 p5
3 5

C p2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 p6 C
8
2 6

p1
1 p7
7
P p8

D

Solution Steps:
1) From center C draw a horizontal line equal to D distance.
2) Divide D distance into 8 number of equal parts and name them C1, C2, C3__ etc.
3) Divide the circle also into 8 number of equal parts and in clock wise direction, after P name 1, 2, 3 up to 8.
4) From all these points on circle draw horizontal lines. (parallel to locus of C)
5) With a fixed distance C-P in compass, C1 as center, mark a point on horizontal line from 1. Name it P.
6) Repeat this procedure from C2, C3, C4 upto C8 as centers. Mark points P2, P3, P4, P5 up to P8 on the
horizontal lines drawn from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
7) Join all these points by curve. It is Cycloid.
 Problem 27: Draw a spiral of one convolution. Take distance PO 40 mm. SPIRAL
IMPORTANT APPROACH FOR CONSTRUCTION!
FIND TOTAL ANGULAR AND TOTAL LINEAR DISPLACEMENT
AND DIVIDE BOTH IN TO SAME NUMBER OF EQUAL PARTS.
2

P2
olution Steps 3 1
P1
With PO radius draw a circle
and divide it in EIGHT parts. P3
Name those 1,2,3,4, etc. up to 8
Similarly divided line PO also in
EIGHT parts and name those 4 P4 O P
1,2,3,-- as shown. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
P7
Take o-1 distance from op line
P5 P6
and draw an arc up to O1 radius
vector. Name the point P1
Similarly mark points P2, P3, P4 7
5
up to P8
And join those in a smooth curve.
It is a SPIRAL of one convolution. 6
 HELIX
(UPON A CYLINDER)
PROBLEM: Draw a helix of one convolution, upon a cylinder. P8
Given 80 mm pitch and 50 mm diameter of a cylinder. 8
(The axial advance during one complete revolution is called P7
The pitch of the helix) 7
P6
6
P5
SOLUTION: 5
Draw projections of a cylinder.
Divide circle and axis in to same no. of equal parts. ( 8 ) 4 P4
Name those as shown.
Mark initial position of point ‘P’
3 P3
Mark various positions of P as shown in animation. 2 P2
Join all points by smooth possible curve.
Make upper half dotted, as it is going behind the solid 1 P1
and hence will not be seen from front side.
P
6

7 5

P 4

1 3