Constructions

By Muralee.V.

Construction of line segment and triangle

- Constructions (or geometrical constructions) are a process of drawing geometric
diagrams.
- Ruler, set square, protractor and compass are used in this process.
- A line segment can be constructed by using a ruler and a pair of compasses.
I. Draw a straight line and mark a point.
A

II. Measure the length of line (radius of compass) using a pair of compasses
and draw an arc at point B on the straight line from point A.

A B

- A triangle can be constructed using a ruler and a pair of compasses.

Example 1
Construct a triangle PQR with PQ = 5 cm, QR = 6 cm and PR = 8 cm.

Solution
I. Draw a segment line of PQ = 5 cm.
P Q
5 cm

II. From the point P draw and arc at the centre of AB

8 cm

P Q
5 cm

III. From the point Q draw an arc which intersect with the previous arc and
label the intersection point as R.
R

6 cm

P Q
 IV. Joint the points using a ruler.
R

8 cm 6 cm

P Q
5 cm

Construction of a perpendicular bisector

Example 2
Construct the perpendicular bisector of the line segment given below.
A B
6 cm
Solution
I. Set the pair of compasses to a radius of 4 cm and draw an arc above and
below line AB from point A.

A B
6 cm

II. With the same radius (4 cm), draw an arc above and below line AB from
point B and intersect with the previous arcs.
P

A B
6 cm

Q
 III. Joint the point P and point Q

A 3 cm 3 cm
B

Therefore, line PQ is the perpendicular bisector of line AB

Construction of angle 60o Q

I. Construct a line segment PQ.
P Q

II. Set a pair of compasses to the length of PQ and draw an arc from the point P.

P Q

III. With the same radius of compasses, draw an arc from point Q and intersect with
the previous arc and mark the intersection point as point R.
R

P Q
 IV.Joint the point P and point R.

60o
P Q

Therefore,  RPQ = 60o

Construction of angle 120o

I. Using the same steps above extend the line PQ to the point S
R

120o
S 60o
P Q

Therefore,  RPS = 120o

Or
I. Continue from step III, draw another arc which intersect at blue arc.

P Q

II. Joint the point P and point R

 R

120o
P Q

Therefore,  RPQ = 120o

Construction of angle bisectors

A angle,  ABC
I. Start with the given

B C

II. Draw an arc with its centre at the angular point B, and a suitable radius.
A

B C

III. Draw an arc with its centre at the intersection of arc 2 and one leg of the angle,
and a suitable radius (more than "halfway" the angle).
A

B C
 IV.Draw an arc with its centre at the intersection of arc 2 and the other leg of the
angle with the same radius. Arcs 3 and 4 must intersect. Label the intersection
point as D. A

B C

V. Draw a line from the angular point to the intersection of arcs 3 and 4.
A

B C

Therefore,  ABD =  DBC

Test yourself
1. Construct each of the following angles by using ruler and a pair of compasses
only.
a)  PQR = 30o
b)  ABC = 105o
2. Construct an equilateral triangle with length of sides are 5 cm each.