Copying a line segment

First, start with a line segment PQ that we will copy. Then, mark a point R that will be one endpoint of
the new line segment. Next, set the compasses' point on the point P of the line segment to be copied.
Afterward, adjust the compasses' width to the point Q. The compasses' width is now equal to the length
of the line segment PQ. Next, without changing the compasses' width, place the compasses' point on the
point R on the line you drew in first step. Then, without changing the compasses' width, draw an arc
roughly where the other endpoint will be. Next, pick a point S on the arc that will be the other endpoint
of the new line segment. Finally, draw a line from R to S.
 Copying an angle
In the beginning, start with an angle BAC that we will copy. Then, make a point P that will be the
vertex of the new angle. Next, from P, draw a ray PQ. This will become one side of the new angle. This
ray can go off in any direction. It does not have to be parallel to anything else. It does not have to be the
same length as AC or AB. Then, place the compasses on point A, set to any convenient width. Next,
draw an arc across both sides of the angle, creating the points J and K as shown. Then, without
changing the compasses' width, place the compasses' point on P and draw a similar arc there, creating
point M as shown. Next, set the compasses on K and adjust its width to point J. Then, without changing
the compasses' width, move the compasses to M and draw an arc across the first one, creating point L
where they cross. Finally, draw a ray PR from P through L and onwards a little further. The exact
length is not important.
 Bisecting a Segment
Draw a straight, horizontal line. Make huge arc above and below the line. Using that same compass
length, do the same on the other side. Draw vertical lines intersect.
 Bisecting an angle
First, start with angle PQR that we will bisect. Then, place the compasses' point on the angle's vertex Q.
Next, adjust the compasses to a medium wide setting. The exact width is not important. In addition,
without changing the compasses' width, draw an arc across each leg of the angle. Next, place the
compasses on the point where one arc crosses a leg and draw an arc in the interior of the angle. Then,
without changing the compasses setting repeat for the other leg so that the two arcs cross. Finally, using
a straightedge or ruler, draw a line from the vertex to the point where the arcs cross.
 Constructing Perpendicular Lines
First, I started with a line 10 cm long and then I marked point R which was not on that line. Then I
placed the compasses on point R. Afterward, I set the compasses’ width to more than 50% of the
distance to the line. Then I drew an arc across the line on each side of point R. I made sure not to
change the width of the compasses' while doing this process. I labeled those arcs points P and Q.
From points P, and Q, I drew an arc below the line so that those arcs cross. Then I used a
straightedge to make a line between R and the point where the arcs intersect. This line is
perpendicular to the first line and passes through the point R.
 Perpendicular Bisector of a line segment
First, I started with a line and point J on that line. Then I set the compasses' width to a little bit more
than 50%. Then without changing the compasses' width, I marked 4 short arcs on the line, above the
point J, forming the points R. Then I used a straightedge to draw a line from J to where the arcs cross.
This is how I drew a line perpendicular to point J.
 Constructing a parallel through a point
First, I started with a line PQ and a point R off the line. Then I drew a transverse line connecting R and
point on the line now known as point J. This is where point R intersects the line PQ. Then with the
compasses’ width more than half the distance between R and J, I placed the pointer of the compass on
J, and drew an arc across both lines. Without adjusting the compasses' width, I moved the compasses to
R and drew a similar arc I drew in the previous step. Then I set the compasses' width to the distance
where the lower arcs cross the two lines. Afterward, I moved the compasses to where the upper arc
crosses the transverse line and draw an arc across the upper arc, forming point S. For the final step, I
drew a straight line through points R and S.
 An equilateral inscribed in a circle
In the beginning, I started with the line segment AB in the middle of the circle. Then I picked point P
and placed the point of the compasses on the point C and drew an arc till the end of the other side of the
circle which is point B. Then I used the straightedge, to draw three lines linking the points P, Q and R.
Finally, you can now see that the triangle PQR is an equilateral triangle as its side length is equal to the
distance AB.
 A square inscribed in a circle
First, I started with the given circle, with O being the center. Then I marked a point A on the circle.
This will become one of the vertices of the square. Then I drew a diameter line from the point A,
through the center and on to cross the circle again, creating point C. Afterward, I set the compass on A
and set the width to a little more than the distance to O. Then I drew an arc above and below O.
Following that I moved the compass to C and repeated those steps. Then I drew a line through where
the arc pairs cross, making it long enough to touch the circle at top and bottom, creating the new points
B and D. Finally, draw a line between each successive pairs of points A, B, C, D and then you should
have a square inscribed in the given circle.
 Hexagon inscribed in a circle
I started with the given circle, center O. Then I marked a point anywhere on the circle, this will be the
first vertex of the hexagon. Then I set the compasses on this point and set the width of the compasses to
the center of the circle. Using that make an arc across the circle. This will be the next vertex of the
hexagon. Then I moved the compasses on to the next vertex and draw another arc and I continued to do
this until I had all six vertices. Finally, I drew a line between each pair of vertices and then you should
have a regular hexagon inscribed in the given circle.
 Subtracting Line Segment
First, I started with two given segments A and B. Then I marked a point P towards the bottom of the
sheet. Afterward, I drew a long line from P to the right. Next, I set the compasses width to the length of
the segment A and placed the point on P that way I could make an arc across the line, creating point Q
Then I took the length of the segment B and placed the point on Q and made an arc across the line to its
left. Finally, the segment PR has a length which is the difference between the lengths of A and B.
 Adding Angles
First, I started with two angles, ∠BAC and ∠RPQ. Next, I set the compasses on A, and adjust to any
convenient width. Then, I made an arc across both legs of the angle, creating points J and K. Finally, I
set the compasses on P and made an arc to the left of, and across, RQ Afterward, I set the compasses on
K and adjust the width to point J. Next, I set the compasses on L and make an arc across the previous
one, creating point M. Finally, I drew a line from P, through M and on to new point S. For the final step
add the angle BAC to angle RPQ.
 Square
First, I started with the given circle, with O being the center. Then I marked a point A on the circle.
This will become one of the vertices of the square. Then I drew a diameter line from the point A,
through the center and on to cross the circle again, creating point C. Afterward, I set the compass on A
and set the width to a little more than the distance to O. Then I drew an arc above and below O.
Following that I moved the compass to C and repeated those steps. Then I drew a line through where
the arc pairs cross, making it long enough to touch the circle at top and bottom, creating the new points
B and D. Finally, draw a line between each successive pairs of points A, B, C, D and then you should
have a square inscribed in the given circle.
 Rectangle
First, I drew a line and then I marked 2 points on the line called point A and B. Then make a
perpendicular line through A and B. For that I used little arcs on each side of the points. Then make
arcs that are the width of the point O and the middle of point A and P. Use the same width for the other
side of the line. Then use those the x marks on the arcs to make a line that extends to the other side of
the line.
 Rhombus
First, draw a straight horizontal line using a straight edge. Then extend the compass to where it meets
end to end with the line. Next, make a large arc from that end. Place the compass anywhere on the arc
and draw an arc from there. Then put the Compass on B and make an arc. Place a straight edge on D to
F and make a straight line. Do the same with point C and point B. Draw another line between C and F.
 Pentagon
Draw a circle using the compass. Bisect the circle by drawing a line down the center. Then open the
compass really wide and make 2 arcs of the sides of the circle. Add more arcs that intersect with the
previous arcs. Do this to both sides, then connect the 2 points. A pair of perpendicular lines is created.
Assign the middle point, and the 4 sides of the 2 lines a letter. Now make a perpendicular bisector
between W and C. A new point is created between C and W. Now adjust compass to the distance from
N to M. Transfer this distance from M to where it meets the horizontal line. This new point will be X.
The last compass movement is very small, and it is the distance from X to N. Finally, trace around the
circle using the new setting. The bottom space should be identical Connect the dots using a straight
edge.
 Octagon
Draw a circle with a compass. Draw line down the middle of the circle. Get the compass and extend it
from an end of a circle to a bit past the center. Make diagonal arcs to the side of the circle and continue
that for the whole circles. Finally, join all the arcs together.
 Isosceles Acute Triangle
Make a small bottom side using a straight edge. To get 2 equal sides, we need to use a perpendicular
bisector. Put the compass on a point and make an arc that is more than halfway but still on the line. Do
this to both points. Make a vertical line on where the 2 lines intersect. Connect points A to C, and
connect points B to C.
 Isosceles Right Triangle
Make a bottom line using a straight edge. Get the compass and put it on point A and make an arc across
the line that is a little more than halfway. Do the same on point B. Draw a line between the 2
intersecting arcs. Get the distance between point C and D and make an arc between C and B. Make a
line between E and D.
 Isosceles Trapezoid
Draw a horizontal line using a straight edge. Next, draw a line coming up from the bottom line forming
an angle. Draw a point on the second line. This point is where the parallel line will go off of. Next, put
the compass on the vertex of the angle. Make a small arc that goes through both sides. Next, use that
same compass distance and place it on the point. Copy the same arc made by the previous one. Next,
put the point of the compass on the inner section of the arc. Move the pencil where the arc intercepts.
Move the compass from L to M and make an arc on top of the arc already there. Next, draw a
horizontal line that does through where the 2 arcs intercept. Place a point anywhere on the top parallel
line. Next get the compass and place it on point L and M. Get that distance and place it on Q. Then
make an arc where the compass meets the bottom line. It intersects on two points, but the point needs to
be the outside one, or else it will be a parallelogram.
 Constructing a line perpendicular through a point not on the line
Place your compass point on P and swing an arc of any size that crosses the line twice. Place the
compass point on one of the two locations where the arc crossed the line and make a small arc below
the line (on the side where P is not located). Without changing the span on the compass, place the
compass point on the other location where the first arc crossed the line and make another small arc
below the line. The two small arcs should be intersecting (on the side of the line opposite of point P).
Using a straightedge, connect the intersection of the two small arcs to point P.
 Constructing a line parallel lines to another line
First, start with a line PQ and a point R off the line. Then, draw a transverse line through R and across
the line PQ at an angle, forming the point J where it intersects the line PQ. With the compasses' width
set to about half the distance between R and J, place the point on J, and draw an arc across both lines.
Next, without adjusting the compasses' width, move the compasses to R and draw a similar arc to the
one in the previous step. Then, set compasses' width to the distance where the lower arc crosses the two
lines. Then, move the compasses to the upper arc crosses the transverse line and draw an arc across the
upper arc, forming point S. Finally, draw a straight line through points R and S. Done. The line RS is
parallel to the line PQ.
 Two parallel lines with alternate exterior angles
Make a line using a straight edge. Then make a point anywhere above that line. Draw a line through
that point so it intersects the point. Then take the compass point, and place it on point A. Then make an
arc so that it intersects the 2 lines. Next, place the compass on point B and make another arc. This time,
do it on the left of the line and not the right. Next, measure the distance between C and D and make an
arc across D. Copy that same distance and place it on E. Copy the same arc on the left side. Then get a
straight edge. Then draw a line where the B intersect and the line to make the top portion of the parallel
line.

Two parallel lines with alternate interior angles

First, I started with a line A and a point E off the line. Then I drew a transverse line connecting A and
point E. This is where point E intersects the line A. Then with the compasses’ width more than half the
distance between A and E, I placed the pointer of the compass on B, and drew an arc across both lines.
Without adjusting the compasses' width, I moved the compasses to E and drew a similar arc I drew in
the previous step. Then I set the compasses' width to the distance where the lower arcs cross the two
lines. Afterward, I moved the compasses to where the upper arc crosses the transverse line and draw an
arc across the upper arc, forming point S. Next, I drew a straight line through points R and S. Lastly i
drew 2 interior angles indication that the 2 parallel with alternative interior angles.