Scribd
Upload
71 views5 pages

Construction of Two-Dimensional Figures Using Only Ruler and Compass

This document discusses how to construct two-dimensional figures using only a ruler and compass. [1] It explains how to draw circles, lines, triangles, squares, regular polygons, and other shapes. [2] Constructions include equilateral triangles, squares, hexagons, octagons, pentagons, stars, rhombuses, and patterns combining circles and squares. [3] All constructions are done by drawing and intersecting circles with the compass and marking and connecting points along lines with the ruler.

Uploaded by

DOTSYS Dev
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
71 views5 pages

Construction of Two-Dimensional Figures Using Only Ruler and Compass

This document discusses how to construct two-dimensional figures using only a ruler and compass. [1] It explains how to draw circles, lines, triangles, squares, regular polygons, and other shapes. [2] Constructions include equilateral triangles, squares, hexagons, octagons, pentagons, stars, rhombuses, and patterns combining circles and squares. [3] All constructions are done by drawing and intersecting circles with the compass and marking and connecting points along lines with the ruler.

Uploaded by

DOTSYS Dev
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL FIGURES

USING ONLY RULER AND COMPASS

It is well known that many two-dimensional figures may be constructed using only
a ruler and an adjustable compass. Prime examples are circles, triangles, and
multisided polygons. We want here to show how this is done.

Our starting point is to draw a straight line on a flat horizontal surface. This line
may be adjusted to point in a north-south direction as the ancient Egyptian pyramid
builders probably did. Next one picks a point along this line and lets it be the center
of a circle of radius R constructed by a compass or a rope of length R free to pivot
about the selected point. This produces a circle. Next to construct a line
perpendicular to the original line we place a compass set to radius 2R at the two
original line and circle intersections and draws the two extra circles.. Where they
intersect will form the point on a new perpendicular line as shown in the following
figure-

With the set of perpendicular lines, we are now ready to construct a square by
marking off distances R=s along the two lines coming from the origin. Next re-
positioning the compass needle at the marked off points along the perpendicular
lines and drawing new circles of radius s, produces a new intersection point which
will form the third vertex of a perfect square. The square will have its corners
located at [x,y]=[0,0], [s,0],[s,s], and [0,s]. Bisecting this square by passing a line
through either of its diagonals will produce a 45egree right triangle. A 3-4-5 right
triangle is also easily generated by using the two perpendicular lines and marking
the values of 3 and 4 along respective x axes. Then connecting the end points yields
the 3-4-5 triangle.

We next consider constructing a hexagon together with its six equilateral sub-
triangles. This is accomplished by picking two points separated by distance s from
each other along a straight line. A compass is set to R=s and circles are drawn about
the end points. These circles intersect at the third vertex of and equilateral triangle.
If one now continues with drawing new circles about the equilateral triangle
vertexes and then connects the intersection points one will find an extra five
constructed triangles to form a hexagon as shown-

Regular polygons of 3n sides where n=1,2,3,..may now be constructed by


successive bisection of the sub-triangles. Likewise equal sided polygons of side
number 4n can be constructed from the bisection of a square by its two diagonals.
The vertexes of the 4n regular polygon all lie on a circle. Here is a schematic of an
octagon construction-
Those polygons where the number of sides are not divisible by 3 or 4 are a bit more
tricky to generate and some become impossible to generate by just straight-edge
and compass. Take the case of a pentagon. There we have a structure whose five
vertexes lie on a circle of radius R=1 and the length of each side of the pentagon is
s. To construct the pentagon we draw two additional circles of different diameter as
shown-
The grey right triangle shown has a hypotenuse of length sqrt(5)/2.When extended
it passes through the center of the two smaller circles. If one now draws two extra
circles about a pivot point at [x,y]=[0,-1] of radii 1/phi and phi on sees they
intersect at the pentagon vertexes at B,C,D, and E. Here phi is the famous golden
ratio which equals [sqrt(5)+1]/2. Connecting the vertex points produces sought after
pentagon.

Two more, simple to construct 2D figures via straightedge and compass are the
following four cusp star and the classic rhombus-

The star follows by drawing circles of radius one-half about the four corners of a
square of unit side-length.. The resultant figure closely resembles , but differs from ,
the classic Astroid formed by rolling a circle of radius R=1/4 around the inside of
R=1 circle. The Rhombus has its side lengths AD=AB=DC=BC fixed by setting the
compass to these lengths and then drawing arcs from the ends of the line segments.
Point C is determined by centering the compass needle at points B and D. The
Rhombus with DB is adjustable.

Although there are an infinite number of additional 2D figures which can be


constructed with just compass and straight edge, we finish things here by looking at
a multi-figure pattern generated by five circles and one square. Here is the figure-
One recognizes here the four lunes and four (football shaped) visica piscis
generated by the large central circle x^2+y^2=2 and the four smaller off- center
circles (x1)^2+(y1)^2=1. Such combinations of circles and straight lines can
form the basis for all kinds of computer generated art as we have already discussed
in an earlier note.

You might also like